Shang Yang quotes:

He who prides himself an extraordinary person by his deeds is rejected by the world; he who has independent ideas is hated by the mass.

The stupid don't even understand something that happened long ago, the wise understand it before it develops.

... he who has independent ideas is hated by the mass[es].

If the people are victorious against the government, the nation will be weak; if the government is victorious against the people, the military will have strength. [thus they] will have the means by which they may fight, and thus ascend to supremacy.