The determined scholar and the man of virtue will not seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. They will even sacrifice their lives to preserve their virtue complete.
ConfuciusThe Master said of Gong Yechang, “He is marriageable. Although he was once imprisoned and branded as a criminal, he was in fact innocent of any crime.” The Master gave him his daughter in marriage. (Analects 5.1)
ConfuciusWhen you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable.
Confucius