There is no one who cannot rectify himself but can rectify others. ——Song Dynasty Su Che's "Shengnan Zhongzhi Hengzhou"
Interpretation: There has never been a person whose own moral character and behavior are not correct but can make others correct.
A gentleman walks according to the Tao, but if he fails to do so half-heartedly, I can’t do it. ——"Book of Rites· Doctrine of the Mean"
Interpretation: A gentleman moves forward by following the principle of impartiality in dealing with people and doing things without overdoing anything. If he stops moving forward halfway (he cannot be considered a gentleman), I He will not stop his progress. ?
To gain a share of selfishness is to gain a share of holy knowledge. ——Ming Dynasty Gao Gong's "Benyu" Volume 3
Interpretation: Removing a little selfishness is equivalent to learning some good qualities from the saints.
Don’t worry about scarcity but worry about inequality; don’t worry about poverty but worry about insecurity. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Ji"
Interpretation: Don't be afraid of having few things but be afraid of uneven distribution; don't be afraid of poverty but be afraid of instability. ?
The wise kings of ancient times did not suffer from the shortcomings of the public, but suffered from the lack of shame in their ambitions and actions. ——"Guoyu·Yueyu Part 1"
Interpretation: The wise monarch in ancient times was not worried about the small number of people he ruled, but worried about the lack of shame in their aspirations and actions.
The ancients were rich and famous but could not be remembered; only those who were suave and suave were praised. ——Han Dynasty Sima Qian's "Report to Ren Shaoqing"
Interpretation: In ancient times, there were countless people who made money and became officials but had no reputation. Only those with outstanding talents can be praised by future generations.
Be self-reliant and self-respecting. Don’t follow others’ footsteps or imitate others’ words. ——"The Complete Works of Mr. Xiangshan" by Lu Jiuyuan of the Song Dynasty
Interpretation: It means that people must have personality, independence, and self-respect, and cannot follow what others say. ?
If his body is upright, he will not do what he is told to do; if his body is not upright, he will not do what he is told to do. ——"The Analects of Confucius·Zilu"
Interpretation: If one's own words and deeds are legitimate, others will follow suit even if one does not give orders; if one's own words and deeds are improper, even if one gives repeated orders, others will not follow suit.
Those who are good officials will cultivate virtue, and those who cannot be officials will cultivate resentment. ——"Han Feizi·Wai Chu Shuo Xia Zuo"
Interpretation: Those who are good at being an official can pay attention to cultivating their own moral character; those who are not good at being an official often attract resentment.
It is better to help the poor and help others than to suffer hardships and tire yourself. ——Jin Dynasty Tao Yuanming's "Ode to Feelings about Scholars"
Interpretation: I would rather stick to poverty to benefit my heart than to be humble and tire myself out.