The great mountain must collapse, the mighty beam must break and the wise man wither like a plant.

As in the case of making a mound, if, before the very last basketful, I stop, then I shall have stopped. As in the case of leveling the ground, if, though tipping only one basketful, I am going forward, then I shall be making progress.

The scholar does not consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but loyalty and good faith.

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

The Master said, "A true teacher is one who, keeping the past alive, is also able to understand the present."

Ceremonies are the first thing to be attended to in the practice of government.

Knowing something is not as good as liking it. Liking something is not as good as rejoicing in it.