Wealth and rank are what men desire, but unless they be obtained in the right way they may not be possessed. Poverty and obscurity are what men detest; but unless prosperity be brought about in the right way, they are not to be abandoned.

The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.

Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.

The people may be made to follow a path of action but they may not be made to understand it.

If a superior man abandon virtue, how can he fulfil the requirements of that name?

When you breathe, you inspire, and when you do not breathe, you expire.

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.