Quotes About Virtue

The demands that a gentleman makes are upon himself; those that a small man makes are upon others.

He who is influenced neither by the soaking in of slander nor by the assault of denunciation may indeed be called illumined.

Is Goodness indeed so far away? If we really wanted Goodness, we should find that it was at our very side.

He whose wisdom brings him into power, needs Goodness to secure that power. Else, though he get it, he will certainly lose it.

He who does not understand the will of Heaven cannot be regarded as a gentleman. He who does not know the rites cannot take his stand. He who does not understand words, cannot understand people.

I for my part have never yet seen one who really cared for Goodness, nor one who really abhorred wickedness. One who really cared for Goodness would never let any other consideration come first. One who abhorred wickedness would be so constantly doing Good that wickedness would never have a chance to get at him.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

You are there to rule, not to slay. If you desire what is good, the people will at once be good. The essence of the gentleman is that of wind; the essence of small people is that of grass. And when a wind passes over the grass, it cannot choose but bend.

He who merely knows right principles is not equal to him who loves them.

The determined scholar and the man of virtue will not seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. They will even sacrifice their lives to preserve their virtue complete.

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

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

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

There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth...lust. When he is strong...quarrelsomeness. When he is old...covetousness.

Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.

Wealth and rank are what people desire, but unless they be obtained in the right way they may not be possessed.

What the great learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.

When a man's knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again.

When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.

Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.

What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.

No worthy goal can be achieved easily. A virtue is born in suffering.

beauty of heart is much more valuable than a pretty face.

Mama says beauty of heart is much more valuable than a pretty face.