"The way of the superior man may be found, in its simple elements, in the intercourse of common men and women; but in its utmost reaches, it shines brightly through Heaven and Earth."

"The way which the superior man pursues, reaches wide and far, and yet is secret. Common men and women, however ignorant, may intermeddle with the knowledge of it; yet in its utmost reaches, there is that which even the sage does not know. Common men and women, however much below the ordinary standard of character, can carry it into practice; yet in its utmost reaches, there is that which even the sage is not able to carry into practice. Great as heaven and earth are, men still find some things in them with which to be dissatisfied. Thus it is that, were the superior man to speak of his way in all its greatness, nothing in the world would be found able to embrace it, and were he to speak of it in its minuteness, nothing in the world would be found able to split it."

"The superior man accords with the course of the Mean. Though he may be all unknown, unregarded by the world, he feels no regret — It is only the sage who is able for this."

"To show forbearance and gentleness in teaching others; and not to revenge unreasonable conduct — this is the energy of southern regions, and the good man makes it his study. To lie under arms; and meet death without regret — this is the energy of northern regions, and the forceful make it their study. Therefore, the superior man cultivates a friendly harmony, without being weak — How firm is he in his energy! He stands erect in the middle, without inclining to either side — How firm is he in his energy! When good principles prevail in the government of his country, he does not change from what he was in retirement. How firm is he in his energy! When bad principles prevail in the country, he maintains his course to death without changing — How firm is he in his energy!"

"The kingdom, its states, and its families, may be perfectly ruled; dignities and emoluments may be declined; naked weapons may be trampled under the feet; but the course of the Mean cannot be attained to."

"Men all say, "We are wise"; but being driven forward and taken in a net, a trap, or a pitfall, they know not how to escape. Men all say, "We are wise"; but happening to choose the course of the Mean, they are not able to keep it for a round month."

"There is no body but eats and drinks. But they are few who can distinguish flavors."

"I know how it is that the path of the Mean is not walked in — The knowing go beyond it, and the stupid do not come up to it. I know how it is that the path of the Mean is not understood — The men of talents and virtue go beyond it, and the worthless do not come up to it."

"Perfect is the virtue which is according to the Mean! Rare have they long been among the people, who could practice it!"

"Let the states of equilibrium and harmony exist in perfection, and a happy order will prevail throughout heaven and earth, and all things will be nourished and flourish."

"There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute. Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone."

"What Heaven has conferred is called The Nature; an accordance with this nature is called The Path of duty; the regulation of this path is called Instruction. The path may not be left for an instant. If it could be left, it would not be the path. On this account, the superior man does not wait till he sees things, to be cautious, nor till he hears things, to be apprehensive."

"昔者天子有爭臣七人，雖無道，不失其天下； [...] 父有爭子，則身不陷於不義。故當不義，則子不可以不爭於父，臣不可以不爭於君；故當不義，則爭之。從父之令，又焉得爲孝乎！"

"The superior man loves his soul; the inferior man loves his property."

"It is soft, smooth and shining—like intelligence. Its edges seem sharp but do not cut—like justice. It hangs down to the ground—like humility. When struck, it gives a clear, ringing sound—like music. The strains in it are not hidden and add to its beauty—like truthfulness.' What imagination!"

"Only after Winter comes do we know that the pine and the cypress are the last to fade."

"Guide the people by law, subdue them by punishment; they may shun crime, but will be void of shame. Guide them by example, subdue them by courtesy; they will learn shame, and come to be good."

"When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them."

"The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration."

"A scholar who loves comfort is not worthy of the name."

"A man living without conflicts, as if he never lives at all."

"以直報怨，以德報德。"

"君子安而不忘危，存而不忘亡，治而不忘亂。是以身安而國家可保也。"

"年四十而見惡焉，其終也已。"

"唯女子與小人爲難養也！近之則不孫，遠之則怨。"

"好知不好學，其蔽也蕩"

"By extensively studying all learning, and keeping himself under the restraint of the rules of propriety, one may thus likewise not err from what is right."

"【十五章】子曰、博學於文、約之以禮、亦可以弗畔矣夫。"

"If the people have no faith in their rulers, there is no standing for the state."

"去食、自古皆有死、民無信不立。"

"Let the superior man never fail reverentially to order his own conduct, and let him be respectful to others and observant of propriety:—then all within the four seas, all men are brothers. What has the superior man to do with being distressed because he has no brothers?"

"君子敬而無失，與人恭而有禮，四海之內，皆兄弟也，君子何患乎無兄弟也！"

"The superior man has neither anxiety nor fear. When internal examination discovers nothing wrong, what is there to be anxious about, what is there to fear?"

"【第四章】【一節】司馬牛問君子。子曰"

"The man of perfect virtue is cautious and slow in his speech. When a man feels the difficulty of doing, can he be other than cautious and slow in speaking?"

"【第三章】【一節】司馬牛問仁。"

"A man's character is formed by the Odes, developed by the Rites and perfected by music."

"邦有道貧且賤焉恥也，邦無道富且貴焉恥也。"

"默而識之，學而不厭，誨人不倦，何有於我哉？"