A classical Chinese line for “Stand by your principles”

Wealth and honor cannot corrupt him, poverty and low status cannot move him, and force cannot make him bend.

Plain meaningHold your principles through temptation, hardship, and pressure.

Praised by the whole world, he is not further encouraged; condemned by the whole world, he is not discouraged.

Plain meaningLet neither praise nor criticism control who you are.

Ground a thousand times and struck ten thousand, still it stands firm, whatever wind blows from any direction.

Plain meaningStay strong no matter how many setbacks come or where the pressure comes from.

In all things, preparation leads to success; lack of preparation leads to failure.

Plain meaningPrepare before you begin if you want the work to stand.

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.

Things have roots and branches; affairs have endings and beginnings. To know what comes first and what follows is to approach the Way.

Plain meaningKnow what matters first, and do not confuse the root with the branches.