Confucius
(page 3)

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.

The Superior Man is all-embracing and not partial. The inferior man is partial and not all-embracing.

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

When one cultivates to the utmost the principles of his nature, and exercises them on the principle of reciprocity, he is not far from the path. What you do not like when done to yourself, do not do to others.

The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a position of wealth and honor, he does what is proper to a position of wealth and honor. In a poor and low position, he does what is proper to a poor and low position.

The superior man examines his heart, that there may be nothing wrong there, and that he may have no cause for dissatisfaction with himself.

Among the appliances to transform the people, sound and appearances are but trivial influences.

Things have their root and their branches. Affairs have their end and their beginning. To know what is first and what is last will lead near to what is taught in the Great Learning.

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

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

To throw oneself into strange teachings is quite dangerous.

Listen widely to remove your doubts and be careful when speaking about the rest and your mistakes will be few.

If a man has no humaneness what can his propriety be like? If a man has no humaneness what can his happiness be like?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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