The man who is master of himself drinks gravely and wisely.

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.'

Men's natures are alike; it is their habits that separate them.

To be fond of learning is to draw close to wisdom. To practice with vigor is to draw close to benevolence. To know the sense of shame is to draw close to courage. He who knows these three things knows how to cultivate his own character. Knowing how to cultivate his own character, he knows how to govern other men. Knowing how to govern other men, he knows how to govern the world, its states, and its families.

If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.

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

Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon or star.