Quotes About Character

The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

All people are the same; only their habits differ.

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

I used to take on trust a man's deeds after having listened to his words. Now having listened to a man's words I go on to observe his deeds.

When everyone hates a person, you should investigate thoroughly, and when everyone loves a person, you should also investigate thoroughly.

A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present? If he reach the age of forty or fifty, and has not made himself heard of, then indeed he will not be worth being regarded with respect.

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.

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

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.

The Master said, "What a worthy man was Yan Hui! Living in a narrow alley, subsisting upon meager bits of rice and water—other people could not have borne such hardship, and yet it never spoiled Hui's joy. What a worthy man was Hui!" (Analects 6.11)

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.

The Master said, "The gentleman does not serve as a vessel." (Analects 2.12)

A conversa impregnada de vaidade e o pretensiosismo são raramente compatíveis com a virtude.

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.

Don't worry if you have no position: worry about making yourself worthy of one. Don't worry if you aren't known and admired: devote yourself to a life that deserves admiration.

Naming enables the noble-minded to speak, and speech enables the noble-minded to act. Therefore, the noble-minded are anything but careless in speech.

A noble minded person is not an implement.

A legendary horse is praised not for its strength, but for its Integrity.

They will do; but they are not equal to him, who, though poor, is yet cheerful, and to him, who, though rich, loves the rules of propriety.

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

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.