Quotes About Morality

The Master said, "The gentleman understands what is right, whereas the petty man understands profit." (Analects 4.16)

The way of the superior person is threefold; virtuous, they are free from anxieties; wise they are free from perplexities; and bold they are free from fear.

Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.

The scholar does not consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but loyalty and good faith.

To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.

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

The superior man has a dignified ease without pride. The mean man has pride without a dignified ease.

Virtue is never left to stand alone. He who has it will have neighbors.

People with virtue must speak out; People who speak are not all virtuous.

The demands that good people make are upon themselves; Those that bad people make are upon others.

If there were an honorable way to get rich, I'd do it, even if it meant being a stooge standing around with a whip. But there isn't an honorable way, so I just do what I like.

Tsze-Kung asked, "Is there one word with which to act in accordance throughout a lifetime?" The Master said, "Is not reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness

A superior man in dealing with the world is not for anything or against anything. He follows righteousness as the standard.

Coarse rice to eat, water to drink, my bended arm for a pillow - therein is happiness. Wealth and rank attained through immoral means are nothing but drifting clouds.

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?

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of man.

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.

That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate enough to be spared.

To conceal resentment against a person, and appear friendly with him;— Tso Ch'iu-ming was ashamed of such conduct.