If language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant; if what is said is not what is meant, then what must be done remains undone; if this remains undone, morals and art will deteriorate; if justice goes astray, the people will stand about in helpless confusion. Hence there must be no arbitrariness in what is said. This matters above everything.

We should not be too familiar with the lower orders or with women.

The young should be dutiful at home, modest abroad, careful and true, overflowing in kindness for all, but in brotherhood with love. And if they have strength to spare they should spend it on the arts.

A man who does not forget an agreement is resolved and honorable man.

The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this.

The scholar does not consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but loyalty and good faith.

You turn the handle the way it goes, not the way it ought to go