He who exerts his mind to the utmost knows his nature.

The root of the kingdom is in the state. The root of the state is in the family. The root of the family is in the person of its head.

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.

A small country cannot contend with a great; the few cannot contend with the many; the weak cannot contend with the strong

The man of true greatness never loses his child's heart.

The regular path of virtue is to be pursued without any bend, and from no view to emolument.

So I like life and I like righteousness; if I cannot keep the two together, I will let life go and choose righteousness.