Be sincere and true to your word, serious and careful in your actions; and you will get along even among barbarians, But if you are not sincere and untrustworthy in your speech, frivolous and careless in your actions, how will you get along even among your own neighbors? When stand, see these principles in front of you; in your carriage see them on the yoke. Then you may be sure to get along.

That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate enough to be spared.

The Master said of Gong Yechang, “He is marriageable. Although he was once imprisoned and branded as a criminal, he was in fact innocent of any crime.” The Master gave him his daughter in marriage. (Analects 5.1)

When strict with oneself, one rarely fails.

A gentleman considers what is right; the vulgar consider what will pay.

To know everything is to know nothing, but to know nothing is to know everything.

It is better to light one small candle of gratitude than to curse the darkness.