Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men.

A superior man may be made to go to the well, but he cannot be made to go down into it. He may be imposed upon, but he cannot be fooled.

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.

Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.

To be poor without murmuring is difficult. To be rich without being proud is easy.

Chi Wen Tzu always thought three times before taking action. Twice would have been quite enough.

Tzu-lu asked about government. The Master said, "Lead them; encourage them!" Tzu-lu asked for a further maxim. The Master said, "Untiringly"

The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance.

He is this sort of man: so intent upon enlightening those eager for knowledge that he forgets to eat, and so happy in doing so that he forgets his sorrows, and does not realize that old age is creeping up on him.

Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.