Philosophical Sayings

When he eats, the gentleman does not seek to stuff himself. In his home he does not seek luxury. He is diligent in his work and cautious in his speech. He associates with those who possess the Way, and thereby rectifies himself. He may be considered …

First he behaves properly and then he speaks, so that his words follow his actions.

The gentleman reveres three things. He reveres the mandate of Heaven; he reveres great people; and he reveres the words of sages.

To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace.

When the wind blows, the grass bends.

Fix your mind on truth, hold firm to virtue, rely on loving kindness, and find your recreation in the Arts.

The superior man has a dignified ease without pride. The mean man has pride without a dignified ease.

Be strict with yourself but least reproachful of others and complaint is kept afar.

The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening hear regret.

The superior man, in the world, does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what is right he will follow.

The superior man thinks of virtue; the small man thinks of comfort. The superior man thinks of the sanctions of law; the small man thinks of favors which he may receive.

When the self is cultivated, the family will be in harmony. When the family is in harmony, the state will be well-governed. When the state is well-governed, the world will know peace.

The gentleman is at ease without being proud; the small man is proud without being at ease.

To govern is to rectify. If you lead the people by being rectified yourself, who will dare not be rectified?

If a man does not say to himself, 'What shall I think of this? What shall I think of this?' I can make nothing of him.

The gentleman makes demands on himself, the small man makes demands on others.

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Then no friends will be unlike yourself.

To go too far is as bad as to fall short.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.