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.

The superior man is easy to serve, but difficult to please ... The inferior man is difficult to serve, but easy to please.

A person of character takes as much trouble to discover what is right as the lesser men take to discover what will pay.

Who contains himself goes seldom wrong.

When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self.

The Master said, At fifteen I set my heart upon learning. At thirty, I had planted my feet firm upon the ground. At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities. At fifty, I knew what were the biddings of Heaven. At sixty, I heard them with docile ear. At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of righ.

You do not understand even life. How can you understand death?