Philosophy quotes — page 7

From this we know that we survive through adversity, and perish in ease and pleasure.

Thus, when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on someone, it first afflicts his mind and will, exhausts his muscles and bones, starves his body, subjects him to poverty, and confounds his undertakings — so as to stir his mind, harden his nature, and increase his capacities.

Mencius said: In obscurity, cultivate yourself alone; when successful, bring goodness to all under Heaven.

Mencius said: Those who love others are constantly loved by others; those who respect others are constantly respected by others.

Those who have the Way receive much help; those who lose the Way receive little help.

Indigo is taken from the indigo plant, yet is bluer than the plant; ice is made of water, yet is colder than water.

Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand li; without accumulating small streams, one cannot form rivers and seas.

The way of great learning lies in illuminating luminous virtue, in renewing the people, and in resting in the highest good.

From the Son of Heaven down to the common people, all alike take the cultivation of the person as the root.

Study extensively, inquire carefully, think prudently, discriminate clearly, and practice earnestly.

Sincerity is the Way of Heaven; making oneself sincere is the way of human beings.

Heaven moves with vigor; the gentleman accordingly strengthens himself without cease.

Earth's condition is receptive devotion; the gentleman accordingly thickens his virtue to bear things.

The highest good is like water. Water benefits the myriad things and does not contend; it dwells in places the multitude dislike — therefore it is close to the Way.

One who knows others is wise; one who knows oneself is enlightened. One who conquers others has strength; one who conquers oneself is truly strong. One who knows contentment is rich; one who persists has will.

A tree that fills the arms' embrace grows from a tiny shoot; a nine-story tower rises from a heap of earth; a journey of a thousand li begins beneath one's feet.

Difficult affairs under Heaven must arise from the easy; great affairs under Heaven must arise from the small.

Humans model themselves on earth; earth on heaven; heaven on the Way; and the Way on what is naturally so.

Know contentment, and you will not be disgraced; know when to stop, and you will not be imperiled — thus you can endure.

Therefore it is said: The consummate person has no self; the spiritual person has no merit; the sage has no name.

My life has a limit, but knowledge has none. To pursue the limitless with the limited is perilous!

When the springs dry up and fish are stranded together on land, they moisten one another with dampness and wet one another with foam — but better to forget one another in the rivers and lakes.

Care for one another impartially, and benefit one another mutually.

Know the other and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will not be in peril. Know yourself but not the other, and you will win one and lose one. Know neither, and you will be in peril in every battle.