In a district of ten families, there must be someone as honorable and sincere as I, but none as fond of learning.

Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, seek to be worthy of being known.

The Master said of Gong Yechang, “He is marriageable. Although he was once imprisoned and branded as a criminal, he was in fact innocent of any crime.” The Master gave him his daughter in marriage. (Analects 5.1)

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

Look for an occupation that you like, and you will not need to labor for a single day in your life.

I daily examine myself on three points: In planning for others, have I failed in conscientiousness? In intercourse with friends, have I been insincere? And have I failed to practice what I have been taught?

The gentleman calls attention to the good points in others; he does not call attention to their defects. The small man does just the reverse of this.