Clever talk can confound the workings of virtue, just as small impatiences can confound great projects.

Sir, in carrying on your government, why should you use killing at all? Let your evinced desires be for what is good, and the people will be good. The relation between superiors and inferiors is like that between the wind and the grass. The grass must bend, when the wind blows across it.

The Master said, If out of the three hundred songs I had to take one phrase to cover all my teachings, I would say 'Let there be no evil in your thoughts.'

To know is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge.

While the gentleman cherishes benign rule, the small man cherishes his native land. While the gentleman cherishes a respect for the law, the small man cherishes generous treatment.

He who crosses the ocean twice without washing is a dirty double crosser.

The superior man is slow in his words and earnest in his conduct.