The gods should certainly be revered, but kept at a distance... . The way is not beyond man; he who creates a way outside of man cannot make it a true way. A good man is content with changing man, and that is enough for him.

True wisdom is knowing what you don't know

Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! Virtue is at hand.

Good is no hermit. It has ever neighbors.

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

Shall I tell you what knowledge is? It is to know both what one knows and what one does not know.