A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

I have never seen one who really loves goodness or one who really hates wickedness. One who really loves goodness will not place anything above it. One who really hates wickedness will practice goodness in such a way that wickedness will have no chance to get at him. Is there anyone who has devoted his whole strength to doing good for even as long as a single day? I have not seen anyone give up such an attempt because he had not the strength to go on. Perhaps there is such a case, but I have never seen it.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.

The virtuous will be sure to speak uprightly; but those whose speech is upright may not be virtuous.

Some are born with knowledge, some derive it from study, and some acquire it only after a painful realization of their ignorance. But the knowledge being possessed, it comes to the same thing. Some study with a natural ease, some from a desire for advantages, and some by strenuous effort. But the achievement being made, it comes to the same thing.