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.

When one by force subdues men, they do not submit to him in heart. They submit because their strength is not adequate to resist.

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

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.

Never has there been one possessed of complete sincerity who did not move others. Never has there been one who had not sincerity who was able to move others.

The way is One and only One. The way is close at hand, but men seek it afar.

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.