By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
The commander of the forces of a large State may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him.
They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it๏ผ and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it
The Master said, to learn and at due times to repeat what one has learned, is that not after all a pleasure? That friends should come to one from afar, is this not after all delightful? To remain unsoured even though oneโs merits are unrecognized by others, is that not after all what is expected of a gentleman?
Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.
To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order; we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.
In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
The noble-minded are calm and steady. Little people are forever fussing and fretting.
If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nations.
When there is order in the nations, there will peace in the world.
If one should desire to know whether a kingdom is well governed, if its morals are good or bad, the quality of its music will furnish the answer.
Return good for good; return evil with justice.
Signs and symbols rule the world, not words nor laws.
The noble man understands what is moral. The small man understands what is profitable.
If the people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given them by punishments, they will try to avoid the punishment, but have no sense of shame. If they be led by virtue, and uniformity sought to be given them by the rules of propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good.
Probably been planned for decades