Waste begets self-will; thrift begets meanness: but better be mean than self-willed.

Straight-forwardness, without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness.

Guide them by edicts, keep them in line with punishments, and the common people will stay out of trouble but will have no sense of shame. Guide them by virtue, keep them in line with the rites, and they will, besides having a sense of shame, reform themselves.

I am not bothered by the fact that I am not understood. I am bothered when I do not know others.

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

If doing what ought to be done be made the first business and success a secondary consideration--is not this the way to exalt virtue?

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.