Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.

By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.

If language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant; if what is said is not what is meant, then what must be done remains undone; if this remains undone, morals and art will deteriorate; if justice goes astray, the people will stand about in helpless confusion. Hence there must be no arbitrariness in what is said. This matters above everything.

Even if I could, I would not exahnge their virtues for my own. And that is why they are intent on learning from me.

The superior man sets his person at rest before he moves; he composes his mind before he speaks.

When I am with others, they are my teachers. I can select their good points and follow them, and select their bad points and avoid them.

Excess and deficiency are equally at fault.