Every truth has four corners: as a teacher I give you one corner, and it is for you to find the other three.

The requisites of government are that there be sufficiency of food, sufficiency of military equipment, and the confidence of the people in their ruler.

When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.

Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.

When a wise man points at the moon the imbecile examines the finger.

A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses. If you are generous, you will gain everything.

Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established