Quotes About Ethics

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.

Humankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.

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.

The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.

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

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

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.

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

The gentleman does not promote people merely on the basis of their words, nor does he reject words merely because of the person who uttered them.

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.

You are not yet able to serve men, how can you serve spirits?