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.

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

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.

The cautious seldom err.

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

To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.

If some years were added to my life, I would give fifty to the study of the Yi, and then I might come to be without great faults.

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

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

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

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

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

To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

The object of the superior man is truth.

Reviewing what you have learned and learning anew, you are fit to be a teacher.

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.

Heaven means to be one with God.

You cannot open a book without learning something.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

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

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

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

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.

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

If we don't know life, how can we know death?

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.

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

To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

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.

To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.

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.

I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men; and the employment of the people at the proper seasons.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.

I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

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

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.