Confucius on Ethics

"Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue."

"The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large."

"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."

"Perfect is the virtue which is according to the Mean! Rare have they long been among the people, who could practice it!"

"The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration."

"To no one but the Son of Heaven does it belong to order ceremonies, to fix the measures, and to determine the written characters."

"A man's character is formed by the Odes, developed by the Rites and perfected by music."

"By the ruler's cultivation of his own character, the duties of universal obligation are set forth. By honoring men of virtue and talents, he is preserved from errors of judgment."

"It is the way of the superior man to prefer the concealment of his virtue, while it daily becomes more illustrious, and it is the way of the mean man to seek notoriety, while he daily goes more and more to ruin. It is characteristic of the superior man, appearing insipid, yet never to produce satiety; while showing a simple negligence, yet to have his accomplishments recognized; while seemingly plain, yet to be discriminating. He knows how what is distant lies in what is near. He knows where the wind proceeds from. He knows how what is minute becomes manifested. Such a one, we may be sure, will enter into virtue."