The essence of Chinese moral sayings
Patriotism
Nothing is as important as the country, and no building is as important as virtue. ——Guoyu
Those who benefit the country love it, and those who harm the country hate it. ——Yan Zi Chunqiu
Be happy with the world, worry with the world. ——Mencius
Since the body is dead, the spirit is the spirit, and the soul is resolute and is the ghost! ——Qu Yuan
How can I be afraid of the emperor's defeat? ——Qu Yuan
Seek benefit to the country, not wealth. ——The Book of Rites
The country's ears forget about home, the public's ears forget about private interests. ——Jia Yi
Put national concerns first and then personal vendettas. ——Sima Qian
Chang Sifen ignored the country's urgent needs. ——Sima Qian
Confucius said: "A man with lofty ideals and benevolence will sacrifice himself to achieve benevolence, and there is no need to seek life to harm benevolence." ——Ban Gu
The man should die in the wilderness, wrapped in horse leather and his ears buried. ——Fan Ye
Throw yourself to death for the country and destroy yourself for justice. ——Cao Cao
It is not my ambition to live idle, I am willing to worry about the country. ——Cao Zhi
Sacrificed his life to go to the national disaster, and regarded death as if he were returning home. ——Cao Zhi
It is the ambition of a loyal minister to worry about his country and forget about his family, and to sacrifice his life to help those in need. ——Cao Zhi
Dedicated himself to death. ——Zhuge Liang
The patriotism of a martyr is also like home. ——Ge Hong
When a man lives his life, he should sweep the world away and keep his family at peace! ——Fan Ye
In times of crisis, integrity is revealed; in times of chaos, loyalty is revealed. Surrender your body to serve the Lord, and die in mourning for your country. ——Bao Zhao
Feeling the times and wanting to serve the country, he drew his sword and picked up the wormwood. ——Chen Zi'ang
Xiao Lai wants to serve his country, not to become a marquis. ——Cen Shen
It has been the case since ancient times to serve the country and go into danger. ——Cui Hao
I sigh four or five times in the middle of the night, often worrying about the great country. ——Li Bai
The husband vowed to marry the country, so why should he be angry and regretful? ——Du Fu
I have always worried about the country’s tears, and shed my clothes in loneliness. ——Du Fu
If I wish to serve my country with such a long life, there is no need to be born in Yumen Pass. ——Dai Shulun
He is as concerned about his country as his family. ——Han Yu
Take the affairs of the country as your own responsibility. ——Han Yu
Those who care about the country do not care about themselves, and those who love the people do not care about their superiors. ——Lin Bu
Be worried about the world’s worries first, and be happy after the world’s happiness. ——Fan Zhongyan
Patent country, not for personal gain. ——Sima Guang
The desire to serve the country will last until death. ——Su Shi
There is no plan for the benefit of one person, but it is for those who benefit the world; there is no plan for the benefit of the moment, but there is no plan for the benefit of the world. ——Hu Hong
I dare not forget about my country despite my humble status. ——Lu You
The only thing you can do with your heart is to serve the country. ——Lu You
Serving the country will lead to thousands of deaths, and your temples will never be green again. ——Lu You
After death, I know that everything is in vain, but the sadness is not the same as that of Jiuzhou. Wang Shibei set the Central Plains Day, and he never forgot to tell Naiwen during family sacrifices. ——Lu You
The precious light in his pocket is of five colors. He will patch up the sky in the northwest next year. ——Xin Qiji
He is worried about the country and has the courage to speak out through the ages. ——Lou Yao
But Ling Shen is not dead, and he will repay the universe with his strength. ——Wen Tianxiang
My heart is like a magnetic needle, and it will not rest until it points to the other side. ——Wen Tianxiang
Since ancient times, no one has died, leaving a loyal heart to illuminate history. ——Wen Tianxiang
I have an oath in my heart as deep as the sea, and I am willing to make China sink to the ground! ——Zheng Sixiao
Serve the country with all your loyalty. ——Tuotuo
Every inch of mountains and rivers is worth an inch of gold. ——Tuo Tuo
Don't ask if you have wealth and honor, you are a man who is devoted to serve your country. ——Yu Qian
How can there be extreme wealth in life? A man must be in a country where he can die. ——Li Mengyang
My husband’s ambition is to govern the country. ——Hai Rui
Don’t hide things from others, don’t have the intention of harming others, and don’t avoid things that are beneficial to the country even if they die. ——Lv Kun
A gentleman learns to become a man and prepare himself for the use of the world and the country. ——Song Kai
The sound of wind and rain and the sound of reading are in my ears; I care about everything about my family, state, and world affairs. ——Gu Xiancheng
What do you want when your country is destroyed and your family is ruined? There is my teacher at the head of Xizi Lake. The sun and moon hang in the family's tomb, and half of the world is in the Yue family temple. ——Zhang Huangyan
Those who protect the world are so humble as ordinary people, how can they be held responsible? ——Gu Yanwu
If a husband does not serve the country, he will eventually become a stupid bitch! ——Chen Gongyin
Enrich the world, strengthen the world, and secure the world.
——Yan Yuan
If you live and die for the benefit of the country, how can you avoid it because of misfortunes and blessings? ——Lin Zexu
Spring sorrow can hardly send a strong man to look at the mountains, and the past events are shocking and bring tears to his eyes. Four million people cried together that Taiwan was cut off last year today! ——Qiu Fengjia
The sea water is boiling, the ears are dreaming, and the sound of cannons is rumbling. How can any gentleman be free from the sorrow of falling into disgrace? Are you trying to avoid slander? Those who have closed their doors! ——Kang Youwei
So the responsibility today does not lie with others, but with my young man. If young people are wise, the country will be wise; if young people are rich, the country will be rich; if young people are strong, the country will be strong; if young people are independent, the country will be independent; if young people are free, the country will be free; if young people make progress, the country will progress; if young people are better than Europe, the country will be better than Europe; if young people are strong on the earth, then the country will be better than Europe. The country is proud of the earth. When the red sun rises, its path shines brightly. The river flows out and flows into the ocean. ——Liang Qichao
Whoever sheds a thousand tears for the patriotism feels unfair when it comes to Hu Chen. ——Liang Qichao
Nothing in the world can withstand the sorrow of spring. Let’s cry together to the sky. Forty thousand people burst into tears. Where is China in the world! ——Tan Sitong
It is common to be broken into pieces, but I hope to sacrifice to protect the country. ——Qiu Jin
The wine will not dissipate the tears of worrying about the country. When saving, we should rely on the talents of the group. At the cost of a hundred thousand heads and blood, we must restore the power of heaven and earth. ——Qiu Jin
Stir up your spirits, arouse the soul of the country, think independently, and have a heart as strong as alchemy. Donate your small body to the country, donate your small body to the country. I live in shame, fearing the disintegration of China. ——Huang Zunxian
Everyone learns and uses his knowledge to make the country prosperous and strong, not subject to foreign aggression, and able to stand on its own on the earth. ——Zhan Tianyou
The essence of Chinese moral sayings
Abiding by the law
The sky net is vast, sparse but not missing. ——Lao Tzu
To be in harmony with the people, you don’t know the law but you can’t do it; if you change customs and teach them, you don’t know how to change them. ——Guanzi
The law is the formula of the world. The appearance of everything. ——Guanzi
Private affairs prevail but public laws are destroyed. ——Guanzi
Whenever something is going to happen, the order must go first. When something is done, the number of rewards and punishments must be known first. ——Guanzi
If you ask, you will get it; if you are forbidden, you will stop it; if you are ordered, you will do it. ——Guan Zi
Don’t avoid the noble when punishing, and don’t avoid the lowly when giving rewards. ——Yan Zi Chunqiu
If you act without selfishness, you will not be punished. ——Yan Zi Chunqiu
If his body is upright, he will not do what he is told; if his body is not upright, he will not follow his orders. ——The Analects of Confucius
If the punishment is not correct, then the people will do nothing wrong. ——The Analects of Confucius
Those who have balances should not deceive them by deception; those who have measures should not deceive them by deception; ——Be careful
When you cannot do what you want, your love must not break the law, your honor must not exceed your relatives, and your salary must not exceed your position. ——Shen Dao
Don’t differentiate between relatives and strangers, don’t differentiate between high and low, and always adhere to the law. ——Li Kui
The reason why people love the law is because they love the people, and the reason why people are courteous is to facilitate things. ——Shang Junshu
If your words are not in line with the law, you will not listen; if your actions are not in line with the law, you will not be a good person; if your actions are not in line with the law, you will not act. ——Shang Junshu
Government by following the law is a long and arduous task with no horses and oxen, and it is also a great river without a boat. ——Shang Junshu
The rule of a country is always based on the interests of the people. There are rules in politics and the conduct of orders. ——Warring States Policy
Rewards must be given to meritorious service, and punishment must be given to guilty ones. ——The Warring States Policy
Whatever is ordered by the world will be followed, and what is forbidden will be stopped. ——Zi Zi
If rewards are not enough, then the virtuous will not be able to advance; if punishment is not enough, the unworthy will not be able to get and retreat. ——Xunzi
There is no better way for a people to follow the law. ——Han Feizi
Those whose words and deeds are inconsistent with the law will be banned. ——Han Feizi
If a family has regular business, it will not be hungry even if it is hungry; if the state has regular laws, it will not be destroyed even if it is in danger. ——Han Feizi
If you don’t believe in rewards and punishments, bans will not work. ——Han Feizi
The strong is governed by law, and the weak and chaotic is born by Ah. ——Han Feizi
If those who follow the law are strong, the country will be strong; if those who follow the law are weak, the country will be weak. ——Han Feizi
Those who can abandon private practices and follow public laws will have peace for the people and good governance for the country. ——Han Feizi
The law is not noble, and the rope is not bent. When the law is imposed, the wise cannot refuse, and the brave dare not fight. Don't avoid ministers when punished, and don't spare ordinary people when you reward good deeds. ——Han Feizi
Cure chaos by means of magic, and rely on rewards and punishments for right and wrong. ——Han Feizi
He who likes to use his wisdom to correct the law, sometimes mixes his private affairs with public affairs, the law prohibits changes, and those who give orders several times will perish. ——Han Feizi
A country must have civil and military affairs, and official governance must have rewards and punishments. ——Han Feizi
If you cannot govern a country, it will lead to chaos; if you abide by the law but fail to change, you will rebel; if you rebel and lead to chaos, you will not be able to sustain the country.
——Lu Shi Chun Qiu
The ministers are lawful, the small ministers are honest, the official positions are in order, the monarch and the ministers are upright, and the country is fat. ——Book of Rites
If it is not corrected, it cannot be made square; if it is not corrected, it cannot be made round. ——Huainanzi
If the law does not work, you must violate it from above. ——Sima Qian
If the law is righteous, the people will be angry; if the law is right, the people will obey. ——Sima Qian
Following the government is like a law that makes the top and bottom equal. If the top and bottom are equal, the country will be strong. ——Sima Qian
The world is not troubled by what can’t be done, but when there is no way to do it. ——Huan Kuan
A crooked tree is evil and a straight rope is evil, and a treacherous person is evil and evil. ——Huan Kuan
If you punish one person, you will get a hundred; if you kill one, you will be cautious of ten thousand. ——Huan Kuan
The same reward for the same merit but different reward will make officials suspicious; the same punishment for the same crime will make the people confused. ——Ban Gu
Government orders must be implemented, and constitutional prohibitions must result in a country that cannot be governed. ——Wang Fu
There is no permanent rule of the country, and there is no permanent chaos. If the laws are followed, the country will be governed, and if the laws are not followed, the country will be in chaos. ——Wang Fu
If you reward the slightest good, you will be encouraged; if you punish the evil, you will be hindered. ——Huan Fan
Those who are loyal and beneficial when doing so will be rewarded, even if they are belittled, and those who violate the law and are negligent will be punished, even if they are close. ——Chen Shou
Those who punish people are the medicine and stone that can control chaos; those who teach morals are the meat that promotes peace. ——Fan Ye
Reward one to persuade a hundred, punish one to punish all. ——Wang Tong
If punishment is indiscriminate, the villain's Tao will grow; if you reward mistakes, the Gentleman's Tao will disappear. ——Wu Jing
If Zeng Sheng is exempted... Anyone who has meritorious service must break the law. ——Wu Jing
Reward should be the reward for the hard work, and those who have done nothing will be dismissed; punishment should be the crime, and those who have done evil should be careful. ——Wu Jing
Law is the balance of the country and the criterion of time. Weighing determines the importance, and the principle determines the right and the right. ——Wu Jing
If you reward wrongdoing, you will not be encouraged to do good; if you punish wrongdoing, you will not punish evil. ——Wei Zheng
When the law is great, it is right for the public and wrong for the public. ——Liu Yuxi
The law is the reason why the country spreads great faith to the world; the speaker is the reason why the joy and anger are heard at that time. ——Liu Yu
The law is what the country relies on to ensure peace; if it is followed, it will be governed; if it is contrary, it will be chaotic; if it is extremely chaotic, it will be destroyed. ——Song Qi
The law prohibits people from doing wrong and makes them do good and avoid crime. ——Ouyang Xiu
Every order must be believed and the law must be followed. ——Ouyang Xiu
If good laws are established in the world, then the world will be governed; if good laws are established in the country, then a country will be governed. ——Wang Anshi
Enforce the law without asking for mercy, and do your best without asking for fame. ——Su Xun
When making an appointment, use courtesy, and when driving, use the law. ——Su Xun
If the law is implemented in a lowly manner and succumbs to the noble, the world will not accept it. If the world is not convinced, it will not be possible to seek the Dharma. ——Su Che
Reward but not sincere and not persuade; punishment but not sincere and not warning. ——Cui Dunli
The law is not lenient and strict, and those who are pure are precious. ——Xu Zhenji
Don’t be suspicious of anything, but you can’t be suspicious of the end of prison. ——Lu Kun
If rewards are given to people, good people will not be honored by rewards; if sins are given to good people, evil people will not be humiliated by punishment. ——Lv Kun
Strictly speaking about the corruption of subordinates without asking the superiors, the law will be stricter, the greed will be worse, and the government will be more chaotic. ——Wang Fuzhi
If the law is not established, there is no need to punish him, but if he wants to be an official, he will not be greedy, and he will not get it. ——Gu Yanwu
It is difficult to legislate and it is difficult to abide by the law; it is difficult to listen to remonstrance and it is difficult to enjoy remonstration. ——Zhang Tingyu
What the strong man cannot do, the law will not be established; what the forbidden man must violate, the law will not work. ——Wei Yuan
The essence of Chinese moral sayings
Integrity
Working without trust will lead to death if there is no support. ——Zuo Zhuan
Letter is a national treasure. ——Zuo Zhuan
The words of a gentleman are believed and confirmed. ——Zuo Zhuan
Broken trust and disobeyed. ——Zuo Zhuan
Belief cannot be trusted, and quality is useless. ——Zuo Zhuan
Those who are honest are the knot of the world. ——Guan Zi
A light promise will lead to a lack of faith, and what is easy will be difficult. ——Lao Tzu
Trustful words are not beautiful, and beautiful words are not believed. A good person does not discern, and a person who debates is not good. A person who knows is not knowledgeable, and a person who is knowledgeable does not know. ——Laozi
Zengzi said: “I examine myself three times every day: Have I been unfaithful in my plans for others? Have I not trusted my friends in my dealings? Have I not been accustomed to teaching them?”——The Analects
If you have good faith, the people will not dare to be unkind. ——The Analects of Confucius
When making friends, keep your word. ——The Analects
Knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing, this is knowing. ——The Analects
A gentleman is ashamed of his words and goes beyond his actions. ——The Analects of Confucius
Words must be true and actions must bear fruit. ——The Analects of Confucius
People without faith do not know what to do.
How can a big cart move without a hook and a small cart without a pulley? ——The Analects of Confucius
The people cannot stand without faith. ——The Analects of Confucius
At first I was with people, listening to their words and trusting their actions; now I am with people, listening to their words and watching their actions. ——The Analects of Confucius
Sincerity is the way of heaven, and sincerity is the way of man. If you are sincere and do not move, you have not yet existed; if you are not sincere, you have not moved. ——Mencius
Reflexively and sincerely, there is no greater joy. ——Mencius
If the mouth can speak, but the body can do it, it is a national treasure; if the mouth cannot speak, but the body can do it, it is a national weapon; if the mouth can speak, but the body cannot do it, it is a national weapon; if the mouth can speak, but the body cannot do it, it is a national weapon. He who speaks good words but does evil deeds is a national monster. ——Xunzi
A gentleman cannot cultivate his heart better than being sincere... Honesty is what a gentleman abides by and is the foundation of political affairs. ——Xunzi
When small faith is achieved, great faith will be established, so it is clear that the master accumulates faith. If you don’t believe in rewards and punishments, bans will not work. ——Han Feizi
A gentleman must be sincere. The so-called sincerity means not to deceive oneself, just like hating a bad smell or liking lust. This is called self-humility. Therefore, a gentleman must be careful about his independence. ——Book of Rites. University
Those who want to cultivate their bodies must first correct their minds. If you want to correct your heart, you must first be sincere. ——Book of Rites. University Honesty is self-made, and Tao is self-made. Honesty is the beginning and end of things; dishonesty is nothing. Therefore, honesty is the most precious thing for a gentleman. A sincere person does not become himself, so he becomes something. ——Book of Rites? Doctrine of the Mean
To pay lip service but not to practice is to complain about disaster and bring disaster to one's body. ——Book of Rites? Notes
A gentleman never fails to speak to others, so his words are fully trusted. ——Book of Rites? Notes
Gold and jade are not treasures, but loyalty is considered a treasure. ——Book of Rites? Confucianism
Don’t slander yourself internally, and don’t slander others externally. ——Han Ying
It is better to get Jibu Yinuo than to get a hundred catties of gold. ——Sima Qian
People believe first and then seek ability. ——Liu An
Sincerity is without impurity, thinking without shame. ——Liu Xiang
He will never break his promise. ——Liu Xiang
In the time of Yao and Shun, there was no nobility and rewards but the people persuaded them, no heavy punishments but the people did not offend, and no righteousness but the people's trust. ——Ban Gu
Husbands argue with each other and deceive each other, but do not promise loyalty and argue with honesty. ——Wang Fu
Loyalty, faithfulness and prudence are the foundation of morality and righteousness; emptiness and deceit are the root of chaos. ——Wang Fu
If you accept people with trust, the world will trust them; if you don’t treat others with trust, your wife will be suspicious of you. ——Yang Quan
Be sincere and fair. ——Chen Shou
Treat others with faith, and think with disbelief; ——Fu Xuan
With sincerity, gold and stone are opened. ——Fan Ye
Cunning hypocrisy is not as good as clumsy sincerity. ——Yan Zhitui
Those who betray all their sincerity with one act of hypocrisy are greedy for reputation. ——Yan Zhitui
The foundation of a country depends on loyalty; the ancients used food and soldiers, but trust should not be lost. The rise and fall of a country depends on it. ——Li Tingshou
If you are sincere, you will believe it without words. ——Wang Tong
The husband and wife are kind, but if they are not sincere, they will separate; if the handover is divided, if they are not sincere, they will break up. ——Wei Zheng
Unbelievable words and dishonest orders will ruin your virtue for those above and endanger your life for those below. ——Wu Jing
If father and son do not believe, the family will not be harmonious. ——Wu Zetian
Sincerity can eliminate suspicion, and favoritism can eliminate greedy complaints. ——Liu Yuxi
Be sincere but not deceive, keep your word without doubt. ——Lin Bu
Being loyal and honest is the foundation of one’s life, not just a tool for fame. ——Lin Bu
It’s hard to buy an inch of sincerity even if you pile up money. ——Yan Jidao
Holy and sincere. Sincerity is the foundation of the five constant elements and the source of hundreds of actions. ——Zhou Dunyi
Those who believe in their husbands are the greatest treasure of a ruler. The country is protected by the people, and the people are protected by trust. Without faith, you cannot win over the people, and without the people, you cannot protect the country. ——Sima Guang
If you are not sincere in front but say you are sincere in the back, everyone will doubt it and not believe it. ——Sima Guang
A husband’s promise is not easy to make. ——Sima Guang
Take the most sincerity as the way and the most benevolence as the virtue. ——Su Shi
Achieving things depends on reason rather than power, and convincing people with sincerity rather than words. ——Su Shi
Those who are sincere and immovable will cultivate themselves upright and manage affairs with integrity. ——Yang Shi
Honesty should be the mainstay in dealing with yourself, in matters, and in your subordinates. ——Xue Xuan
It is better to have no promises but little faith. ——Peng Rurang
Those who promise lightly will have little faith. It is better not to make promises than to have little faith. ——Shen Hanguang
Half words can ruin the blessings of a lifetime. ——Tang Biao
Loyalty and honesty are the foundation of human beings. ——Wei Yijie
Integrity is like sitting on the spring breeze.
——Wang Huo
Being consistent with what you say is still the behavior of an upright husband. ——Liang Qichao
The essence of Chinese moral sayings
Knowing propriety
Many will cause harm, modesty will benefit. ——Shang Shu
Be careful with your appearance and appearance. ——The Book of Songs
The reason why mortals are more noble than animals is because they are polite. ——Yan Zi Chunqiu
If the dress is not correct, the guests will not be respectful. If there is no etiquette in advancing or retreating, then the government orders will not work. ——Guanzi
A gentleman thinks about propriety when he acts, and thinks about righteousness when he acts. ——Zuo Zhuan
Rites can serve the country for a long time and nourish the world. The king commands his ministers to be respectful, the father is kind and the son is filial, the brother loves and respects the younger brother, the husband and wife are gentle, the aunt is kind and the wife listens, this is etiquette. ——Zuo Zhuan
If you are rich and arrogant, you will bring yourself to blame. ——Lao Tzu
Be simple and simple, and have few selfish desires. ——Laozi
If you don’t see yourself, you will be enlightened; if you don’t know what you are, you will be enlightened; if you don’t cut yourself off, you will be successful; if you are not proud of yourself, you will grow. ——Laozi
He who knows others is wise, and he who knows himself is wise. ——Laozi
Stay in the thick of things, not in the thin; live in the true, not in the splendor. ——Lao Tzu
If you follow the Tao and use punishments, the people will be spared and shameless; if you follow the Tao with virtue and use etiquette, you will be shameless and dignified. ——The Analects of Confucius
It flourishes in poetry, establishes itself in etiquette, and succeeds in music. ——The Analects
Restraining oneself and restoring propriety is benevolence. If one day restrains oneself and returns to ritual, the world will return to benevolence. Is it up to oneself to be benevolent, rather than up to others? ——The Analects of Confucius
If you don’t learn etiquette, you can’t stand up. ——The Analects of Confucius
Seeing good is like falling short, and seeing bad is like exploring the soup. ——The Analects of Confucius
The beauty of a gentleman is not the evil of a man. ——The Analects of Confucius
Don’t look at anything that’s not polite, don’t hear anything that’s not polite, don’t say anything that’s not polite, don’t do anything that’s not polite. ——The Analects of Confucius
If you want to establish yourself, you can establish others; if you want to reach yourself, you can reach others. ——The Analects of Confucius
When you see a virtuous person, think about them; when you see a virtuous person, you should reflect on yourself. ——The Analects of Confucius
A man with lofty ideals and benevolence will not harm his benevolence by seeking life, but will kill himself to fulfill his benevolence. ——The Analects of Confucius
To do good is like ascending, and to do evil is like falling. ——Mandarin
People must insult themselves, and then others will insult them. ——Mencius
Wealth and honor cannot be immoral, poverty and lowliness cannot be moved, and power cannot be subdued. ——Mencius
The old and the old are like the old, and the young and the young are like the young. ——Mencius
The heart of compassion is the root of benevolence; the heart of shame and disgust is the root of righteousness; the heart of resignation is the root of courtesy; the heart of right and wrong is the root of wisdom. ——Mencius
A gentleman should always be kind to others. ——Mencius
Life is what I want, and righteousness is also what I want. You cannot have both, and you must sacrifice life for righteousness. ——Mencius
Giving words to others is more important than gold, stone, pearls and jade; persuading others with words is more beautiful than embellished articles; listening to others’ words is more enjoyable than bells, drums, harp, harp and harp. ——Xunzi
Learning only when you reach the "Li" is the end of morality. ——Xunzi
If people are rude, there will be no life, if things are rude, they will not succeed, and if the country is rude, there will be no peace. ——Xunzi
A country that is rude is not upright. The reason why etiquette governs the country is that it is like weighing the weight and weight, like the rope and ink on the straight and straight, and like the rules and regulations on the square and the circle. Even if it is wrong, no one can make false accusations. ——Xunzi
Where did ritual originate? Said: Human beings are born with desires. If you don’t get your desires, you can’t stop asking for them; if you don’t get the desires you want, you can’t stop striving for them. Conflict leads to chaos, and chaos leads to poverty. The former kings hated the chaos, so they divided etiquette and righteousness into order to nourish people's desires and meet their needs. Desires must not be limited by things, and things must not succumb to desires. The two are sustained and long-lasting, which is the origin of etiquette. ——Xunzi
Those who are righteous first and benefit later are honored; those who are benefited first and then righteous are disgraced; those who are honored are often prosperous, and those who are humiliated are often poor; those who are prosperous often control others, and those who are humiliated are often controlled by others. This is the difference between honor and disgrace. ——Xunzi
Those who are not my teachers are my teachers; those who are my friends are my friends; those who flatter me are my thieves. ——Xunzi
Power cannot be dumped, the masses cannot be moved, and the world cannot be shaken. Life depends on this, death depends on this, and this is called morality. Moral ethics can then be determined, and if one can be determined, then one can respond. Being able to calm down and respond is called an adult. ——Xunzi
A gentleman respects people's virtues and promotes their beauty, which is not flattery; justice is direct, and it is not a fault to criticize others. ?——Xunzi
Those who walk on water show depth and keep people safe; those who govern the people show chaos and make people selfless. Ceremony is a form of expression. ——Xunzi
An upright person walks along the road, acts according to reason, is fair and selfless, does not seek peace and ambition, and does not act easily for danger. ——Han Ying
Being virtuous will lead to prosperity; doubling virtuousness will lead to collapse. ——Da Dai Li Ji
Loyalty and trustworthiness are the foundation of etiquette.
A loyal person can learn etiquette. ——Book of Rites
Governing a country without courtesy is like plowing without grass. ——The Book of Rites
Husbands and wives are rites, so they can establish relatives and distances, resolve suspicions, distinguish similarities and differences, and clarify right and wrong. ——Book of Rites
Prosperity nourishes the house, virtue nourishes the body. ——Book of Rites
Reciprocity should be reciprocated. It is impolite to go but not come; it is impolite to come but not go. ——The Book of Rites
If you are rude when meeting people, you will not be able to find talents. ——Liu An
If you don’t show authority or bring blessings, you will be ashamed of yourself. ——Sima Qian
Before the etiquette and prohibition were implemented, the law was already given. It is easy to see the use of the law, but it is difficult to know the prohibition of the etiquette. ——Sima Qian
The behavior of a gentleman is based on the thought of justice. Not for profit, not for righteousness. ——Ban Gu
Only Ming in officialdom, ordinary in affairs, and pure in conduct. ——Ma Rong
The melon field does not accept shoes, and Li Xia does not have the right crown. ——Han Yuefu
If you give up an inch, you will receive a foot. ——Cao Cao
Quietness cultivates one’s character, frugality cultivates virtue. Without indifference, there is no clear ambition; without tranquility, there is no far-reaching goal. ——Zhuge Liang
Be noble but not arrogant, win without being disobedient, be virtuous but be able to subordinate, be strong but be patient. ——Zhuge Liang
Do not do evil because it is small, and do not do good because it is small. ——Romance of the Three Kingdoms
If you are thirsty and don’t drink the stolen spring water, if you are thirsty and don’t drink the water from the stolen spring, you will be thirsty and hate the yin of the wood. ——Lu Ji
It is better to have jade broken into pieces than to be completely destroyed. ——Li Baiyao
Inspiring the turbid and raising the clear, hating the evil and loving the good. ——Wu Jing
You should not be ashamed of heaven when you look up, you won’t be ashamed of others when you look down, and you won’t be ashamed of your heart when you look up. ——Han Yu
If you enjoy others' happiness, others will also enjoy their happiness; if you worry about others' worries, others will also worry about their worries. ——Bai Juyi
A good horse does not care about its fodder, and a martyr does not care about his camp. ——Zhang Ji
Those who are harmonious internally will have a prosperous family, and those who are harmonious externally will benefit their people. ——Lin Bu
There is no better way to seek fame than through self-cultivation. Good reputation cannot cover up evil. ——Ouyang Xiu
Etiquette should be respected, but things are difficult and ancient. ——Wang Anshi
The beginning of etiquette is difficult but easy to perform; once it is performed, it is easy but difficult to last. ——Su Xun
The people are accustomed to etiquette and justice. It is easy to do good and difficult to do wrong. ——Su Zhe
Searching for nobleness and seeking personal gain in the market are a deep shame for my family and a lesson for my descendants. ——Lu You
If a person is good, a hundred good things are not enough; if a person is not good, one bad thing is enough. ——Yang Wanli
Examine yourself every day, correct it if you have it, and encourage it if you don’t. ——Zhu Xi
Knowing shame comes from the heart. People need to know their shame before they can change it. ——Zhu Xi
If you remove one evil, you will cultivate ten good things. ——Tuotuo
Those who plant trees must nourish their roots, and those who plant virtues must nourish their hearts. ——Wang Shouren
Fame and integrity are more important than Mount Tai, while profit is less important than a feather. ——Yu Qian
The breeze is turned towards the sky with both sleeves, so as to avoid Lu Yan’s short talk. ——Yu Qian
I will never change my temperament in three lives, and I will always remain in the country even if I die. ——Hai Rui
If you are not honest, you will take everything; if you are not shameful, you will do everything. ——Gu Yanwu
To be kind and to be seen by others is not true kindness; to be evil and to fear that others will see it is a great evil. ——Zhu Bailu
When you are an official, you should put yourself first; you should not only be a preceptor, but also be famous. ——Zhang Tingyu
Be generous to others, make promises to yourself, be generous to yourself, and be generous to others. ——Chen Hongmou
It is easy to say that one's strengths are short, and if one knows one's shortcomings, one is long. ——Shen Juyun
It is better to discipline oneself with the autumn breeze, and to bring the spring breeze with everything. ——Zhang Chao