When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.

Men of all social stations live together: they are equal in their desires, yet vary in their methods; they are equal in their passions, yet different in their intelligence; that is their nature-given vitality.

The noble person uses things; the lesser man is used by things.

If what the heart approves conforms to proper patterns, then even if one's desires are many, what harm would they be to good order?

If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.

Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.

Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.