Waters Above

A love that is true and real creates a respite from death. All cowardice comes from not loving or not loving well, which is the same thing.

Concerning opportunity: the smart react to events; the wise make plans based on trends; and the bold act on conditions. All take advantage.

People once sought knowledge with a view to their own improvement. Nowadays, people learn for the sake of gaining the approval of others.

When we see people of worth, we should try to equal them. When we see people of contrary character, we should look inside and examine self.

The cautious seldom err. Superior people wish to be slow in their speech and earnest in their conduct.

There are three types of advantageous friends: friends who are upright; friends who are sincere; and friends who possess much insight.

See much, and avoid perilous things, while cautiously carrying the others into practice. Then, you will have few occasions for repentance.

Confucius - What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others. Jesus Christ - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

For people to sacrifice to a spirit which does not belong to them is flattery. To see what is right and not to do it is lack of courage.

If people are led by laws and conformity is sought by punishments, they will try to avoid punishment but won't gain a sense of propriety.

When knowledge is enough to attain and virtue is not enough to enable a firm hold, whatever people may have gained, they will likely lose.

The superior person acts before speaking and afterwards speaks according to those actions.

Hear much, and put aside the points you doubt, while speaking cautiously of the others. Then you will afford few occasions for blame.

When the multitude hates a man, it is necessary to examine the cause. When the multitude likes a man, it is necessary to examine the cause.

Respect opinions, but have enough independent vision to oppose a wrong majority – even if you’re seen, for a time, as the bastion of lunacy.

By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.

Those whose courses are different cannot lay plans for one another.

Those who require much from themselves and little from others will keep themselves from being objects of resentment.

The virtuous speak correctly, but not all good speech is virtuous. People of principle are bold, but not all bold people have principles.

In life, there are many things given to people for the wrong reasons. What they do with such things is the true test of their character.