Tsze-Kung asked, Is there one word with which to act in accordance throughout a lifetime? The Master said, Is not reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

One who never anticipates deceit or expects duplicity, and yet is the first to recognize such things – is that not a sage indeed?

You can force the people to obey; you cannot force them to understand.

If your desire is for good, the people will be good.

If there were an honorable way to get rich, I'd do it, even if it meant being a stooge standing around with a whip. But there isn't an honorable way, so I just do what I like.

When a person should be spoken with, and you don't speak with them, you lose them. When a person shouldn't be spoken with and you speak to them, you waste your breath. The wise do not lose people, nor do they waste their breath.