The ancients did not readily give utterance to their words, for they were ashamed lest their actions should not come up to them.

• 

  Is it not a pleasure to learn and, in due time, to practise what one has learned?

• 

  If I am upright, people will act without being ordered. If I am not upright, they will not obey even when I give orders.

• 

  At first, my way with men was to hear their words and give them credit for their conduct. Now my way is to hear their words and look at their conduct.

• 

  When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, and their bad qualities I will correct in myself.

• 

  The mind of the superior man is conversant with righteousness; the mind of the mean man is conversant with gain.

• 

  To have faults and not to reform them, this indeed should be pronounced having faults.

All quotes