The commander of the forces of a large State may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him.

If a superior man abandon virtue, how can he fulfil the requirements of that name?

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.

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

Study as though you cannot catch up to it, and as though you fear you are going to lose it.

The superior person is in harmony, but does not follow the crowd. The lesser person follows the crowd, but is not in harmony.

The man of wisdom is never of two minds; the man of benevolence never worries; the man of courage is never afraid.