Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

Waste begets self-will; thrift begets meanness: but better be mean than self-willed.

Just as lavishness leads easily to presumption, so does frugality to meanness. But meanness is a far less serious fault than presumption.

When there are duties to perform [true] servants and sons serve their labors.

When wealth is centralized, the people are dispersed. When wealth is distributed, the people are brought together.

Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified, their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their States were rightly governed. Their States being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was made tranquil and happy.

When anger rises, think of the consequences.