Confucius

"The man who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the man doing it."

"A promise is the most solemn bond between man and man."

"The superior man desires to go slow in his speech and to act quickly."

"Learning without thought is a waste of intellectual energy; thought without learning is dangerous."

"The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience, but how he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

"Keep your friends close and your heart true."

"The greatest virtue is to serve others with grace and humility."

"A man of true courage is not one who never fears, but one who does what is right despite his fear."

"When nature is served correctly, all things flourish and grow in harmony."

"The beauty of a thing is not in its form alone, but in its purpose and meaning."

"Wealth is not the root of all evil; rather, the craving for wealth without principle is."

"The man who does not think long-term will find trouble at his doorstep."

"In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king, yet the wise man remains humble."

"The superior man must make his thoughts sincere."

"A man who has never felt fear has never truly lived or truly loved."

"The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones—this is the way of all great works."

"Practice makes perfect, yet the sage knows that perfection is an endless journey."

"Benevolence is the characteristic element of humanity; righteousness is the path of duty."

"If a man loves goodness without loving study, his ignorance will prove to be a danger to society."

"The superior man is always learning; he is never satisfied with what he has attained."

"When the ruler is benevolent, all are benevolent; when the ruler is unjust, chaos ensues."

"A man of principle stands like a mountain in the wind—unmoved, yet aware of all around him."

"The sorrow of parting is the price we pay for the joy of companionship."

"Excellence is not an act, but a habit; you are what you repeatedly do."

"In music, one should seek the pleasure that comes from harmony, not the excess of pleasure."

"The man who has insight but lacks courage is like a ship with a good compass but no rudder."

"Gentleness and firmness are like the two faces of a coin—both necessary for a complete character."

"The superior man is universal and not partial; the inferior man is partial and not universal."

"A man's growth is limited not by his circumstances, but by his commitment to self-improvement."

"The power of virtue is such that it transforms those who practice it and inspires those who witness it."