The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

Wisdom, humanity & courage, these three are universal virtues. The way by which they are practiced are one.

Behave when away from home as though you were in the presence of an honored guest. Employ the people as though you were assisting at an important sacrifice. Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no feelings of opposition to you, whether it is the affairs of a state that you are handling or the affairs of a family.

I do not enlighten those who are not eager to learn, nor arouse those who are not anxious to give an explanation themselves. If I have presented one corner of the square and they cannot come back to me with the other three, I should not go over the points again.

Wisdom delights in water; love delights in hills. Wisdom is stirring; love is quiet. Wisdom is merry; love grows old.

Exemplary persons are steadfast in the face of adversity, while petty persons are engulfed by it.

Study the past if you want to define the future.