Quotes About Ethics

The Duke of Shê asked about government. The Master said, When the near approve and the distant approach.

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 does not preach what he practices till he has practiced what he preaches.

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 perfecting of one's self is the fundamental base of all progress and all moral development.

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

The superior man cannot be known in little matters, but he may be entrusted with great concerns. The small man may not be entrusted with great concerns, but he may be known in little matters.

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.

To govern is to correct. If you set an example by being correct, who would dare remain incorrect?

To see what is right, and not do it, is want of courage, or of principle.

To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.

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 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.

To see what is right and not to do it, is want of courage.

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

Every man has it's price, but it's almost never the gold