The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

The superior man accords with the course of the Mean. Though he may be all unknown, unregarded by the world, he feels no regret - It is only the sage who is able for this.

Settle one difficulty, and you keep a hundred away.

Those who break down the dikes will themselves be drowned in the inundation.

The way of the superior man may be compared to what takes place in traveling, when to go to a distance we must first traverse the space that is near, and in ascending a height, when we must begin from the lower ground.

Waste begets self-will; thrift begets meanness: but better be mean than self-willed.