Confucius
(page 3)

The way of the superior man may be found, in its simple elements, in the intercourse of common men and women; but in its utmost reaches, it shines brightly through Heaven and Earth.

Perfect is the virtue which is according to the Mean! Rare have they long been among the people, who could practice it!

There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute. Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone.

Let the states of equilibrium and harmony exist in perfection, and a happy order will prevail throughout heaven and earth, and all things will be nourished and flourish.

What Heaven has conferred is called The Nature; an accordance with this nature is called The Path of duty; the regulation of this path is called Instruction. The path may not be left for an instant. If it could be left, it would not be the path.

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

The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin.

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

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place when all the stars are rotating about it.

When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are things to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honor are things to be ashamed of.

When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them.

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

The superior man, extensively studying all learning, and keeping himself under the restraint of the rules of propriety, may thus likewise not overstep what is right.

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

They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.

The Superior Man is aware of Righteousness, the inferior man is aware of advantage.

The cautious seldom err.

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.

If I hear the Way of truth in the morning, I am content even to die in that evening.

Being in humaneness is good. If we select other goodness and thus are far apart from humaneness, how can we be the wise?