Benevolence is the characteristic element of humanity.

If one leads them with administrative measures and uses punishments to make them conform, the people will be evasive, but if one leads them with virtue, they will come up to expectations.

How transcendent is the virtue of the middle conduct! Rare for a long time has been its practice among the people.

At 15 I set my heart on learning; At 30 I firmly took my stand; At 40 I had no delusions; At 50 I knew the Mandate of Heaven; At 60 my ear was attuned; At 70 I followed my heart's desire without overstepping the boundaries of right.

Better than the one who knows what is right is the one who loves what is right.

He who flatters a man is his enemy. he who tells him of his faults is his maker.

A blemish may be removed from a diamond by careful polishing, but evil words once spoken cannot be effaced.