Where it is permissible both to die and not to die, it is an abuse of valour to die.

A man must first despise himself, and then others will despise him.

When I say that all men have the mind which cannot bear to see the suffering of others, my meaning is illustrated this way: when two men suddenly see a child about to fall into a well, they all have a feeling of alarm and distress, not to gain friendship with the child's parents, nor to seek the praise of their neighbors and friends. From such a case, we see that a man without the feeling of commiseration is not a man. The feeling of commiseration is the beginning of humanity.

Is it only the mouth and belly which are injured by hunger and thirst? Men's minds are also injured by them.

A real man is he whose goodness is a part of himself.

There is the work of great men and there is the work of little men. Therefore it is said, 'Some labor with their minds and some labor with their strength. Those who labor with their minds govern others; those who labor with their strength are governed by others.'1 Those who are governed by others support them; those who govern them are supported by them. This is a universal principle.

Listen to a man's words and look at the pupil of his eye. How can a man conceal his character?