To know it is not as good as to love it, and to love it is not as good as to take delight in it.

The object of the superior man is truth.

The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.

As the water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it, so a wise man adapts himself to circumstances.

When young, beware of fighting; when strong, beware of sex; and when old, beware of possession.

Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified, their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their States were rightly governed. Their States being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was made tranquil and happy.

Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.