“What the superior person seeks is in themselves. What the mean person seeks is in others.”
“We take greater pains to persuade others we are happy than in trying to think so ourselves.”
“Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old, and you may become a teacher of others.”
“Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.”
“The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance.”
“The perfecting of one's self is the fundamental base of all progress and all moral development.”
“The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.”
“When nature exceeds culture, we have the rustic. When culture exceeds nature then we the pedant.”
“Think no vice so small that you may commit it, and no virtue so small that you may over look it.”
“The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.”
“The wheel of fortune turns round incessantly, and who can say to himself, ''I shall today be uppermost.''”
“Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.”
“When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self.”
“The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.”
“With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bent arm for a pillow -- I have still joy in the midst of all these things.”
“If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.”
“In a country well governed poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed wealth is something to be ashamed of.”
“When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it--this is knowledge.”
“Of neighborhoods, benevolence is the most beautiful. How can the man be considered wise who when he had the choice does not settle in benevolence.”
“The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.”
“The way of the superior person is threefold; virtuous, they are free from anxieties; wise they are free from perplexities; and bold they are free from fear.”
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”
“To be fond of learning is near to wisdom; to practice with vigor is near to benevolence; and to be conscious of shame is near to fortitude. He who knows these three things”
“To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.”
“The superior man will watch over himself when he is alone. He examines his heart that there may be nothing wrong there, and that he may have no cause of dissatisfaction with himself.”
“There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.”
“Love thy neighbor as thyself: Do not to others what thou wouldn't not wish be done to thyself: Forgive injuries. Forgive thy enemy, be reconciled to him, give him assistance, invoke God in his behalf.”
“Tsze-Kung asked, saying, is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life?'' The Master said, ''Is not Reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”
“Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.”
“To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right.”