At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of right.

Be faithful and true of word; let thy walk be plain and lowly: thou wilt get on, though in savage land. If thy words be not faithful and true, thy walk plain and lowly, wilt thou get on, though in thine own home? Standing, see these words ranged before thee; driving, see them written upon the yoke. Then thou wilt get on.

Virtue is not solitary; it is bound to have neighbors

There are those men who say to repay evil with kindness. But I say, how then are we to repay kindness? Repay kindness with kindness, but repay evil with justice.

People with virtue must speak out; People who speak are not all virtuous.

I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue would esteem nothing above it.

Exemplary persons are steadfast in the face of adversity, while petty persons are engulfed by it.