In antiquity men studied for their own sake; nowadays men study for the sake of impressing others.

Excess weakens the spirits.

If you don't know how to serve men, why worry about serving the gods?

The Master said, I set my heart on the Way, base myself on virtue, lean upon benevolence for support and take my recreation in the arts.

The Master was entirely free from four things: prejudice, foregone conclusions, obstinacy, and egoism.

Listen much, keep silent when in doubt, and always take heed of the tongue; thou wilt make few mistakes. See much, beware of pitfalls, and always give heed to thy walk; thou wilt have little to rue. If thy words are seldom wrong, thy deeds leave little to rue, pay will follow.

Of course you want to be rich and famous. It's natural. Wealth and fame are what every man desires. The question is: What are you willing to trade for it?