Let every man consider virtue as what devolves on himself. He may not yield the performance of it even to his teacher.

The gods should certainly be revered, but kept at a distance... . The way is not beyond man; he who creates a way outside of man cannot make it a true way. A good man is content with changing man, and that is enough for him.

A gentleman considers justice to be essential in everything. He practices it according to the principles of propriety. He brings it forth in modesty and faithfully completes it. This is indeed a gentleman.

The most beautiful sight in the world is a little child going confidently down the road of life after you have shown him the way.

Not to converse with a man worthy of conversation is to waste the man. To converse with a man not worthy of conversation is to waste words. The wise waste neither men nor words.

Love makes a spot beautiful: who chooses not to dwell in love, has he got wisdom?

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