Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, seek to be worthy of being known.
When you see a good man, think of emulating him; when you see a bad man, examine your own heart.
The ancients hesitated to give their thoughts utterance: they were afraid that their actions might not be equal to their words.
Few are those who err on the side of self-restraint.[6]
Virtue cannot live in solitude: neighbours are sure to grow up around it.[7]
Chi Wên Tzŭ[8] used to reflect thrice before he acted. When told of this, the Master said: Twice would do.
The Master said: Alas! I have never met a man who could see his own faults and arraign himself at the bar of his own conscience.
Tzŭ Hua having been sent on a mission to the Ch‘i State, Jan Ch‘iu begged for a gift of grain for his mother. The Master said: Give her a peck.—The disciple asking for more, he said: