The Three Armies can be deprived of their commanding officer, but even a common man cannot be deprived of his purpose.

Being in humaneness is good. If we select other goodness and thus are far apart from humaneness, how can we be the wise?

Things that are done, it is needless to speak about...things that are past, it is needless to blame.

There has never been a man mean and at the same time virtuous.

Don't worry about being acknowledged by others; worry about failing to acknowledge them.

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

Respect the gods, but have as little to do with them as possible.