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

Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.

And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?

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

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

When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.

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

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.

A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me;I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.

The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.

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

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

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!

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

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.

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.

I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.

Heaven means to be one with God.

The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.

It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.

The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.

Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

You cannot open a book without learning something.

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.

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.

The cautious seldom err.