Confucius 孔子

What you do not desire for yourself, do not impose upon others.

Plain meaningRespect other people by refusing to force on them what you would reject yourself.

Review what is old and understand what is new; then one can serve as a teacher.

Plain meaningReturn to what you know until it yields a new understanding.

When you see a worthy person, think of becoming their equal; when you see someone unworthy, examine yourself within.

Plain meaningLearn from good examples, and use bad examples to inspect yourself.

Going too far is no better than falling short.

Plain meaningExcess and deficiency can both miss the right measure.

Learn without weariness and teach others without tiring.

Plain meaningKeep learning, and teach with patience.

Wealth and honor are what people desire; if they cannot be obtained by the right way, do not accept them.

Plain meaningSuccess is not worth having if it requires the wrong means.

The noble person brings others' good purposes to completion and does not complete their wrongdoing; the petty person does the opposite.

Plain meaningSupport what is good in others instead of helping harm.

While one's parents are alive, do not travel far; if one must travel, have a definite destination.

Plain meaningWhen you go far away, remain responsible to the family who worries about you.

If you desire speed, you will not arrive; if you chase small gains, great work will not be completed.

Plain meaningDo not let impatience or short-term rewards ruin the larger goal.

When three people walk together, one of them must be my teacher. I follow what is good in them and correct in myself what is not good.

Plain meaningEveryone can teach you something—through an example to follow or a mistake to avoid.

The noble person is harmonious without being identical; the petty person is identical without true harmony.

Plain meaningReal harmony allows disagreement; shallow agreement can hide deeper conflict.