Confucius

"Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change."

"The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them."

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."

"Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven."

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

"How to play music may be known. At the commencement of the piece, all the parts should sound together. As it proceeds, they should be in harmony while severally distinct and flowing without break, and thus on to the conclusion."

"I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability."

"If we don't know life, how can we know death?"

"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."

"Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous."

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."

"Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator."

"Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods."

"Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure."

"The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools."

"The object of the superior man is truth."

"The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he cleaves to it. In seasons of danger, he cleaves to it."

"The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has."

"The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later."

"The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence."

"There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest."

"To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men; and the employment of the people at the proper seasons."

"To see the right and not to do it is cowardice."

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

"Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors."

"When anger rises, think of the consequences."

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

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

"You cannot open a book without learning something."