On matters beyond his ken a gentleman speaks with caution. If names are not right, words are misused. When words are misused, affairs go wrong. When affairs go wrong, courtesy and music droop, law and justice fail. And when law and justice fail them, a people can move neither hand nor foot. So a gentleman must be ready to put names in speech, to put words into deeds. A gentleman is nowise careless of words.

A blemish may be removed from a diamond by careful polishing, but evil words once spoken cannot be effaced.

There has never been a man mean and at the same time virtuous.

The Path is not far from man. When men try to pursue a course, which is far from the common indications of consciousness, this course cannot be considered The Path.

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

By the ruler's cultivation of his own character there is set up the example of the course which all should pursue.

First there must be order and harmony within your own mind.