The demands that a great man makes are on himself; those of a petty man are upon others.

To be excellent when engaged in administration is to be like the North Star. As it remains in its one position, all the other stars surround it.

The proper man understands equity, the small man profits.

Let every man consider virtue as what devolves on himself. He may not yield the performance of it even to his teacher.

When a man comes to me, I accept him at his best, not at his worst. Why make so much ado? When a man washes his hands before paying a visit, and you receive him in that clean state, you do not thereby stand surety for his always having been clean in the past.

While the gentleman cherishes benign rule, the small man cherishes his native land. While the gentleman cherishes a respect for the law, the small man cherishes generous treatment.

The rich fool is like a pig that is choked by its own fat.