Those who, searching for virtue, refuse to stay among the virtuous, how can they obtain knowledge?
In your appearance to fall below decency would be to resemble a savage rustic, to exceed it would be to resemble a fop; let your appearance be decent and moderate, then you will resemble the honorable man.
When I first began with men, I heard words and gave credit for conduct, now I hear words and observe conduct.
The perfect man is never satisfied with himself; he that is satisfied with himself is not perfect.
He that is desirous to improve is not ashamed to ask of others.
Sin in a virtuous man is like an eclipse of the sun and moon, all men gaze at it and it passes away; the virtuous man mends and the world stands in admiration of his fall.
Patience is the most necessary thing to have in this world.
—From “Lun Yu;” or, “Conversations of Confucius.”