The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived.

Expect much from yourself and little from others and you will avoid incurring resentments

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.

Study the past if you want to define the future.

True goodness springs from a man's own heart. All men are born good.

Just as lavishness leads easily to presumption, so does frugality to meanness. But meanness is a far less serious fault than presumption.