Confucius

“Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.”

Confucius

The Analects, Book II, Ch. 15 (trans. James Legge)

“At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was an obedient organ for the reception of truth. At seventy, I could follow what my heart desired, without transgressing what was right.”

Confucius

The Analects, Book II, Ch. 4 (trans. James Legge)

“The mind of the superior man is conversant with righteousness; the mind of the mean man is conversant with gain.”

Confucius

The Analects, Book IV, Ch. 16 (trans. James Legge)

“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.”

Confucius

The Analects, Book IV, Ch. 17 (trans. James Legge)

“Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practises it will have neighbours.”

Confucius

The Analects, Book IV, Ch. 25 (trans. James Legge)

“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.”

Confucius

The Analects, Book VII, Ch. 21 (trans. James Legge)

“Is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life? Is not reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”

Confucius

The Analects, Book XV, Ch. 23 (trans. James Legge)