Wisdom delights in water; love delights in hills. Wisdom is stirring; love is quiet. Wisdom is merry; love grows old.

The administration of government lies in getting proper men. Such men are to be got by means of the ruler's own character. That character is to be cultivated by his treading in the ways of duty. And the treading those ways of duty is to be cultivated by the cherishing of benevolence.

If one is guided by profit in one's actions, one will incur much ill will.

Respect the gods, but have as little to do with them as possible.

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

I do not want a friend who smiles when I smile, who weeps when I weep; for my shadow in the pool can do better than that.

When anger rises, think of the consequences.