Cao Cao is a highly controversial figure in Chinese history.
Lu Xun evaluated him: Cao Cao was a very capable person, at least a hero. Although I am not a member of Cao Cao’s faction, I always admire him very much no matter what.
For over a thousand years after his death, controversies and evaluations about him have never ceased.
Today, Poetry King shares 30 famous quotes from Cao Cao, let’s get to know this person through Cao Cao’s words together!
It’s better for me to betray others than for others to betray me—— Sun Sheng’s Miscellaneous Records
Fu Liu Bei is a talented person. If we don’t strike now, it will be a future threat. Although Yuan Shao has great ambitions, he will not move if he sees things late—— The Annals of Emperor Wu in the Book of Wei
- Nine vassals united to unify the world—— Cao Cao’s “Short Song Journey”
- Officials who have been eunuchs and upright have existed throughout history, but the Lord should not use them as a pretext for power and favor. If we have already punished him, we should punish him for his wrongdoing. One prison guard is enough, why call for foreign generals—— Think Tank · Wise Department · Cao Cao
To the north of you, I am facing west—— Zizhi Tongjian, Han Ji, Han Ji 52 - The righteous soldiers are used to suppress the rebellion, and the masses have united. What doubts do you have—— The Annals of Emperor Wu in the Book of Wei
- I entrust the intelligence of the world with the Dao, capable of anything—— The Annals of Emperor Wu in the Book of Wei
- Therefore, a wise ruler does not appoint meritorious officials, nor does he reward those who do not fight; To govern peace and uphold virtue, there is a reward function—— Cao Cao’s “On the Ability of Officials and Scholars”
- Today’s soldiers act with righteousness, holding doubts but not advancing, losing the hope of the world, and becoming a disgrace to all of you—— The Annals of Emperor Wu in the Book of Wei
- If one is both planning for future generations and losing oneself, the country will be in danger. It is unacceptable to seek fame and deal with actual disasters—— Shuzhi Ling
- Drinking is like singing, life is geometric—— Cao Cao’s “Short Song Journey”
- One in a hundred remains of the people, and the thought of it breaks one’s intestines—— Cao Cao’s’ Walking in the Haoli ‘
As a prime minister, the status of officials and ministers is extremely high, and one’s expectations have already passed—— Cao Cao’s “Shuzhi Ling” - The heroes of the world are only the ruler and the ruler—— Records of the Three Kingdoms, Shu Shu, Biography of the Former Master
- If a lady is filial to her relatives, wouldn’t she also be loyal to the king! What I am seeking—— The Annals of Emperor Wu in the Book of Wei
- Talent is the key, I use it when I have it—— The Order of Seeking Talents
The thief is behind, it’s white—— The Annals of Emperor Wu in the Book of Wei - My rebel soldiers have suppressed the rebellion, and in the current nineteen years, they will surely overcome it. How meritorious am I? It is the power of wise scholars and officials—— The Annals of Emperor Wu in the Book of Wei
- He who made me believe above all the world, Son—— Cao Cao said Jia Xu
In heaven and earth, people are precious—— Cao Cao’s “Du Guan Shan” - When collecting heroes today, it is not acceptable to kill one person and lose the heart of the world—— The Annals of Emperor Wu in the Book of Wei
- Have children like Sun Zhongmou—— Wu Calendar
- The old steed crouches in the haystack, with aspirations for a thousand miles. In their old age, martyrs are filled with unwavering determination—— Cao Cao’s “Although the Turtle is Longevity”
- Wearing a hat while bathing in monkeys, knowing small but seeking strength—— Xielu Xing
- This is my misfortune, but also your happiness—— Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biography of Wuwen Shi Wanggong, Volume 20
- If there are no orphans in the country, I don’t know how many people will declare themselves emperor and how many will declare themselves king—— Shuzhi Ling
Mountains never tire of heights, and seas never tire of depths. Zhou Gong expressed his gratitude, and the world returned to its heart—— Short Song Journey
How to relieve worries, only Du Kang—— Cao Cao’s “Short Song Journey”
If fate were in me, I would be King Wen of Zhou—— Zizhi Tongjian, Han Ji, Han Ji 60
My maidservants, concubines, and courtesans are both diligent and hardworking, using the bronze sparrow platform to treat them kindly—— Cao Cao’s’ Legacy Edict ‘