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.

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.

Learning without thought is labor lost.

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

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

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.

A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

I do not want a friend who smiles when I smile, who weeps when I weep, for my shadow in the pool can do better than that.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

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

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

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

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

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

Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.

The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration.

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

He with whom neither slander that gradually soaks into the mind, nor statements that startle like a wound in the flesh, are successful may be called intelligent indeed.

Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.

By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.

Study the past if you would define the future.

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

Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! Virtue is at hand.

When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.

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

When a man's knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again.

What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.

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

Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.

The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

The man who in view of gain thinks of righteousness; who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life; and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends - such a man may be reckoned a complete man.

What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others.

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

Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.

The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it.

If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength; if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if in his intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere - although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.

The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

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.

The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.

The determined scholar and the man of virtue will not seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. They will even sacrifice their lives to preserve their virtue complete.

To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue...[They are] gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.

Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.

The cautious seldom err.

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

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

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

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

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

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

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.

Respect yourself and others will respect you.

Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.

The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.

Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.