In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. From the Commander of the Faithful Harun al-Rashid to Nikephoros, dog of the Romans. You will not hear my reply — you will see it.

Seek knowledge, even as far as China.

Cloud, rain wherever you please — your land tax will still find its way to me.

Ask why this pond stays so clear: because living water keeps flowing from its source.

-- Zhu Xi

Westward the course of empire takes its way.

-- George Berkeley

If you wish to see the laws of high thunder with a pure and skilful mind, look upon the summits of the highest heaven.

-- Boethius

Among the people there is no possession so esteemed as the state / yet there is no state in this world like one breath of good health.

-- Suleiman the Magnificent

Everyone aims at the same meaning, but many are the versions of the story.

-- Suleiman the Magnificent

Peerless among princes, my Sultan Mehmed.

-- Suleiman the Magnificent