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.

All people have the common desire to be elevated in honour, but all people have something still more elevated in themselves without knowing it.

Virtue alone is not sufficient for the exercise of government; laws alone cannot carry themselves into practice.

The gap between enthusiasm and indifference is filled with failures. The great man is he that does not lose his child's heart.

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.

The myriad things are complete in us. There is no greater joy than to reflect on ourselves and become sincere.

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