Quotes

Raise up the able and entrust them with responsible posts.

Killing one man everyone calls unjust. But when another state is attacked, they do not see it as wrong; they praise it and call it just. Can they be said to know the difference between justice and injustice?

Heaven wants people to love and benefit one another, and does not want them to hate and harm one another.

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

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

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

If you find anything better than justice, truth, temperance and fortitude, turn to it with all your soul. But if you find nothing better, give place to nothing else.

Retire into yourself. The reason that rules you is content with itself when it does what is just, and so secures tranquillity.

He who does wrong does wrong against himself.

If what you do is right, why are you afraid of those who will find fault wrongly?

Until philosophers become kings in their cities, or those now called kings and rulers truly become philosophers, cities will have no rest from their evils.

Justice is a good to be valued not only for its rewards and results but also for its own sake.