It is true that water will flow indifferently to east and west, but will it flow equally well up and down? Human nature is disposed toward goodness, just as water tends to flow downwards. There is no water but flows downwards, and no man but shows his tendency to be good. Now, by striking water hard, you may splash it higher than your forehead, and by damming it, you may make it go uphill. But, is that the nature of water? It is external force that causes it to do so. Likewise, if a man is made to do what is not good, his nature is being similarly forced.

To act without clear understanding, to form habits without investigation, to follow a path all one's life without knowing where it really leads; such is the behavior of the multitude.

Friendship with a man is friendship with his virtue, and does not admit of assumptions of superiority.

A great man is one who has not lost the child's heart.

He who wishes to be benevolent will not be rich.

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

The way is near, but men seek it afar. It is in easy things, but men seek for it in difficult things.