Let mourning stop when one's grief is fully expressed.

Riches and honor are what everyone desires, but if they can be gained only by doing evil, they must not be held. Don't worry about not being in office, worry about qualifying yourself for office. Don't worry that no one knows you, but seek to be worthy of being known.

Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.

When nature exceeds culture, we have the rustic. When culture exceeds nature, we have the pedant.

The Master said, “The gentleman understands what is right, whereas the petty man understands profit.” (Analects 4.16)

Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.

The gentleman is calm and at ease. The gentleman is dignified but not proud; the small man is proud but not dignified.