Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.
The superior man understands what is right. The inferior man understands what is popular.
If language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant; if what is said is not what is meant, then what must be done remains undone; if this remains undone, morals and art will deteriorate; if justice goes astray, the people will stand about in helpless confusion. Hence there must be no arbitrariness in what is said. This matters above everything.
Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Let me do and I understand.
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.
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.
By nature men are pretty much alike; it is learning and practice that set them apart.
He who will not economize will have to agonize.
The superior man cannot be known in little matters, but he may be entrusted with great concerns. The small man may not be entrusted with great concerns, but he may be known in little matters.