Even in killing men, observe the rules of propriety.

While you are not able to serve men, how can you serve spirits of the dead...While you do not know life, how can you know about death

How transcendent is the virtue of the middle conduct! Rare for a long time has been its practice among the people.

How great is the path proper to the Sage! Like overflowing water, it sends forth and nourishes all things, and rises up to the height of heaven. All-complete is its greatness! It embraces the three hundred rules of ceremony, and the three thousand rules of demeanor. It waits for the proper man, and then it is trodden. Hence it is said, 'Only by perfect virtue can the perfect path, in all its courses, be made a fact.'

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

There are three unfilial acts: the greatest of these is the failure to produce sons.

First and foremost, be faithful to your superiors, keep all promises, refuse the friendship of all who are not like you; and if you have made a mistake, do not be afraid of admitting the fact and amending your ways.