To put the world 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.

To see what is right, and not do it is the worst cowardice.

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

Don't complain about the snow on your neighbor's roof when your own doorstep is unclean.

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

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

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

Give a bowl of rice to a man
and you will feed him for a day.
Teach him how to grow his own rice
and you will save his life.

Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.

When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.

If what one has to say is not better than silence, then one should keep silent.

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

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

It is not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs.

Respect yourself and others will respect you.

The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.

He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.

Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.

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 gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.

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

Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

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.

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

In their nature all people are equal, it is their habits that make the differences.

When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them.

When we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

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

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

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

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

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

The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat.

If you don't want to do something, don't impose on others.

If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children.

Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.

Time flows away like the water in the river.

A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top.

If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.

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

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.