Quotes About Morality

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.

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 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 noble-minded encourage what is beautiful in people and discourage what is ugly in them. Little people do just the opposite.

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

The noble-minded have nine states of mind: for eyes, bright; for ears, penetrating; for countenance; cordial; for demeanor, humble; for words, trustworthy; for service, reverent; for doubt, questioning; for anger circumspect; and for facing a chance to profit, moral.

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?

The Master said: 'Artful speech and an ingratiating demeanour rarely accompany virtue.

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

Aspire to the principal, behave with virtue, abide by benevolence, and immerse yourself in the arts.

Clever talk, ingratiating looks, fawning reverence: Tso-ch'iu Ming found that shameful, and so do I. Friendly while harboring resentment: Tso-ch'iu Ming found that shameful, too, and so do I.

The gentleman is dignified but not arrogant. The small man is arrogant but not digified

If the will be set on virtue, there will be no practice of wickedness.

To see what's right and not do it is cowardice.

What you don´t want done to yourself, do not do to others.

I daily examine myself on three points:— whether, in transacting business for others, I may have been not faithful;— whether, in intercourse with friends, I may have been not sincere;— whether I may have not mastered and practised the instructions of my teacher.

The Master was entirely free of four faults: arbitrariness, inflexibility, rigidity, and selfishness.

If the people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given them by punishments, they will try to avoid the punishment, but have no sense of shame. 2. 'If they be led by virtue, and uniformity sought to be given them by the rules of propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good.

Aquellos de espíritu superior entienden la justicia. Los ordinarios, el beneficio.

Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.

Mencio: ¿Hay alguna diferencia entre matar a alguien con una espada o en hacerlo con un palo? El rey: No hay diferencia. Mencio: ¿Hay alguna diferencia entre matar a alguien con una espada o con un mal gobierno? El Rey:No hay diferencia.