Confucius

“He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.”

“Where words lose their meaning, people lose their lives.”

“Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more.”

“If you look at their intentions, examine their motives, and scrutinize what brings them contentment – how can people hide who they are? How can they hide who they really are?”

“To those whose talents are above mediocrity, the highest subjects may be announced. To those who are below mediocrity, the highest subjects may not be announced.”

“Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.”

“Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.”

“Wenn man noch nicht den Menschen dienen kann, wie sollte man den Geistern dienen können?”

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

“A legendary horse is praised not for its strength, but for its Integrity.”

“If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?”

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

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

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

“If things far away don’t concern you, you’ll soon mourn things close at hand.”

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

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

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

“There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.”

“The gentleman understands what is moral. The small man understands what is profitable.”