Quotes About Virtue

If your desire is for good, the people will be good.

Return good for good; return evil with justice.

If either wealth or poverty are come by honesty, there is no shame.

What can a man do with music who is not benevolent?

Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established

Walking among three people, I find my teacher among them. I choose that which is good in them and follow it, and that which is bad and change it.

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

Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

In his dealings with the world, the gentleman is not invariably for or against anything. He is on the side of what is moral.

Let a ruler base his government upon virtuous principles, and he will be like the pole-star, which remains steadfast in its place, while all the host of stars turn towards it

He who is concerned only with the purity of his own life ruins the great human relations.

A conversa impregnada de vaidade e o pretensiosismo são raramente compatíveis com a virtude.

If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with music?

The Master said, I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue, would esteem nothing above it. He who hated what is not virtuous, would practice virtue in such a way that he would not allow anything that is not virtuous to approach his person. Is any one able for one day to apply his strength to virtue? I have not seen the case in which his strength would be insufficient. Should there possibly be any such case, I have not seen it.

A noble minded person is not an implement.

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

The Master said, Guide the people by law, aline them by punishment; they may shun crime, but they will want shame. Guide them by mind, aline them by courtesy; they will learn shame and grow good.

The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear.

They will do; but they are not equal to him, who, though poor, is yet cheerful, and to him, who, though rich, loves the rules of propriety.

What is the good of being ready with the tongue? They who encounter men with smartnesses of speech for the most part procure themselves hatred. I know not whether he be truly virtuous, but why should he show readiness of the tongue?

The noble-minded are all-encompassing, not stuck in doctrines. Little people are stuck in doctrines.

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

If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with the rites of propriety? If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with music?

When respect is shown according to what is proper, one keeps far from shame and disgrace.