Moving up during the course of his life from humble circumstances as a fatherless teenager to one of the world’s richest business leaders and most generous philanthropists, Li Ka-shing for many in Asia represents a model of how to succeed in the world.  Books about his approach to life and business — mostly in Chinese and all unauthorized — populate business sections of Chinese-language bookstores around the world, much like books about Warren Buffett do in the United States.

So today we feature 8 great words of advice from Li Ka-Shing himself.

8 Life Tips By From The Asian Billionaire Li Ka-Shing

1. As a leader, one should spend more time than others planning for the future.

2. I do not get overly optimistic when the market is good, nor overly pessimistic when the market is down.

3. A good reputation for yourself and your company is an invaluable asset not reflected in the balance sheets.

4. It doesn’t matter how strong or capable you are; if you don’t have a big heart, you will not succeed.

5. To be a successful manager, attitude and ability are equally important ingredients. A leader inspires others to greatness. A boss dominates his subordinates and makes them feel small.

6. Though a universal formula for success is difficult to come by, caution signs for failure are posted everywhere. Establishing a structure that serves to minimize failure will prove to be a shortcut to success.

7. Successful managers should also have a keen eye for talent. They not only select people who are smarter than themselves, but also avoid picking corporate superstars whose reputation precedes them.

8. The art of good management lies in the capacity to accept change, and the ability to meld new and traditional thinking.

–from the Li Ka Shing Foundation

Article Originally featured on Forbes.com