The man who in view of gain thinks of righteousness; who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life; and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends - such a man may be reckoned a complete man.

In a hamlet of ten households, there are bound to be those who are my equal in doing their best for others and in being trustworthy in what they say, but they are unlikely to be as eager to learn as I am.

A person of character takes as much trouble to discover what is right as the lesser men take to discover what will pay.

A man is great not because he hasn't failed; a man is great because failure hasn't stopped him.

The injury of prodigality leads to this, that he who will not economize will have to agonize.

To be fond of learning is to draw close to wisdom. To practice with vigor is to draw close to benevolence. To know the sense of shame is to draw close to courage. He who knows these three things knows how to cultivate his own character. Knowing how to cultivate his own character, he knows how to govern other men. Knowing how to govern other men, he knows how to govern the world, its states, and its families.

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.