The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.
I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability.
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.
If we don't know life, how can we know death?
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.
We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.
To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.
Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.
Study the past, if you would divine the future.
The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.
In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.
The cautious seldom err.
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.
Silence is a true friend who never betrays.
Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.
To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.
To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.
Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.
To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.
A youth, when at home, should be filial and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies.
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.