How great is the path proper to the Sage! Like overflowing water, it sends forth and nourishes all things, and rises up to the height of heaven. All-complete is its greatness! It embraces the three hundred rules of ceremony, and the three thousand rules of demeanor. It waits for the proper man, and then it is trodden. Hence it is said, 'Only by perfect virtue can the perfect path, in all its courses, be made a fact.'

It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.

A man who reviews the old so as to find out the new is qualified to teach others.

I have never seen a man as fond of virtue as of women.

The mirror reflects all objects without being sullied

Every man knows the smell of his own fart.

A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door.