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

Heaven sees as the people see. Heaven hears as the people hear.

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

The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart.

If you love men and they are unfriendly, look into your love; if you rule men and they are unruly, look into your wisdom; if you are courteous to them and they do not respond, look into your courtesy. If what you do is vain, always seek within.

When the men of antiquity realized their wishes, benefits were conferred by them on the people. If they did not realize their wishes, they cultivated their personal character, and became illustrious in the world. If poor, they attended to their own virtue in solitude; if advanced to dignity, they made the whole empire virtuous as well.

Mankind fears an evil man but heaven does not.