Quotations from Confucius
1. 性相近也，习相远也。By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
2. 有教无类。In teaching there should be no distinction of classes.
3. 当仁，不让于师。When it comes to benevolence, one need not give precedence even to his teacher.
4. 过而不改，是谓过矣。Not to mend the fault one has made is to err indeed.
5. 己所不欲，勿施于人。What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
6. 君子不以言举人，不以人废言。The superior man does not promote a man simply on account of his words, not does he put aside good words because of the man.
7. 工欲善其事，必先利其器。A craftsman who wishes to do his work well must first sharpen his tools.
8. 君子和而不同，小人同而不合。The superior man aims at harmony but not at uniformity. The mean man aims at uniformity but not at harmony.
9. 言必信，行必果。Keep what you say and carry out what you do.
10. 欲速则不达，见小利则大事不成。If you have things done hastily, you will not reach the goal. If you only see small gains, you will not accomplish great tasks.
11. 其身正，不令而行；其身不正，虽令不从。When a ruler‘s personal conduct is correct, he will be obeyed without the issuing of orders. If his personal conduct is not correct, he may issue orders, but they will not be followed.
12. 君子以文会友，以友辅仁。The superior man on grounds of culture meets with his friends, and by their friendship helps his virtue.
13. 岁寒，然后知松柏之后凋也。Only when the year becomes cold do we know how the pine and the cypress are the last to fade.
14. 三军可夺师也，匹夫不可夺志也。The commander of the forces of a large State may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him.
15. 后生可畏，焉知来者之不如今也？A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?
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