To rein a kingdom efficiently it is necessary, before all, to put into good order the family. It's impossible for a man who doesn't know how to lead his own family to know how to lead a country.

An inch of time on the sundial is worth more than a foot of jade.

I used to listen to what others said, and expect them to act accordingly. But nowadays, I listen to what they say, and then observe what they do.

Sincerity is the way of heaven.

There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth ... lust. When he is strong ... quarrelsomeness. When he is old ... covetousness.

As in the case of making a mound, if, before the very last basketful, I stop, then I shall have stopped. As in the case of leveling the ground, if, though tipping only one basketful, I am going forward, then I shall be making progress.

It is better to play than do nothing.