Though Confucius served the Duke of Lu, a Chinese state, he made many enemies with the nobles of the land. His views antagonized the powerful nobles, who wanted the Duke to be a puppet in their hands. Confucius was exiled from the State of Lu for more than two decades. He lived in the countryside, spreading his teachings.

A fool marvels at rare things, but a wise man at common ones.

Big head, target for enemy; big heart, target for friend.

The Master said, "Wealth and honor are things that all people desire, and yet unless they are acquired in the proper way I will not abide them. Poverty and disgrace are things that all people hate, and yet unless they are avoided in the proper way I will not despise them. If the gentleman abandons ren, how can he be worthy of that name? The gentleman does not violate ren even for the amount of time required to eat a meal. Even in times of urgency or distress, he does not depart from it."

From the Son of Heaven down to the mass of the people, all must consider the cultivation of the person the root of everything besides.

We should not be too familiar with the lower orders or with women.

The people may be made to follow a path of action but they may not be made to understand it.