“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

“A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.”

“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.”

“An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.”

“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.”

“Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.”

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

“Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.”

“He who acts with a constant view to his own advantage will be much murmured against.”

“He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”

“Heaven means to be one with God.”

“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.”

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”

“I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being.”

“If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.”

“If we don’t know life, how can we know death?”

“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.”

“Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, seek to be worthy of being known.”

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.”

“It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.”

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

“Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.”

“Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.”

“Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.”

“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”

“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.”

“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.”

“The cautious seldom err.”

“The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.”

“The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.”

“The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.”

“The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he cleaves to it. In seasons of danger, he cleaves to it.”

“The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

“The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.”

“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.”

“They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.”

“To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.”

“To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.”

“To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.”

“To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.”

“Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.”

“We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.”

“When anger rises, think of the consequences.”

“When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.”

“When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it – this is knowledge.”

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”

“Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?”