To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.

The nobler sort of man emphasizes the good qualities in others, and does not accentuate the bad. The inferior does.

The object of the superior man is truth.

Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified, their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their States were rightly governed. Their States being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was made tranquil and happy.

To know and not do, is to not yet know.

Can there be a love which does not make demands on its object?

Friendship with the upright, with the truthful and with the well informed is beneficial. Friendship with those who flatter, with those who are meek and who compromise with principles, and with those who talk cleverly is harmful.