Confucius

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.

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

You cannot open a book without learning something.

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

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

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

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.

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

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.

When nature exceeds culture, we have the rustic. When culture exceeds nature, we have the pedant.

He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.

The superior man is easy to serve, but difficult to please ... The inferior man is difficult to serve, but easy to please.

Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone.

There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute.

The Superior Man has nothing to compete for. But if he must compete, he does it in an archery match, wherein he ascends to his position, bowing in deference. Descending, he drinks the ritual cup.

In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself.

He who is really kind, can never be unhappy

He who works for his own interests will arouse much animosity

A fool despises good counsel, but a wise man takes it to heart.

If a man is respectful he will not be treated with insolence. If he is tolerant he will win the multitude. If he is trustworthy in word his fellow men will entrust him with responsibility. If he is quick he will achieve results.