Chinese Quotes About Courage and Principles

In old age one should grow still stronger—how could a white-haired heart be changed? In hardship one should grow still firmer and never let high aspiration fall.

Plain meaningNeither age nor hardship should make you abandon a worthy ambition.

In a lone boat, an old man in a straw cape fishes alone in the snowy river cold.

Plain meaningOne person remains steady in a vast and empty winter world.

When the great roc rises with the wind, it soars ninety thousand li.

Plain meaningA great ambition can rise with the right moment.

After choosing through every cold branch, it still refuses to settle, alone on the chilly sandbar.

Plain meaningI would rather remain alone than settle where I do not belong.

Law does not bend toward the powerful; the marking line does not curve around what is crooked.

Plain meaningRules should apply equally, even to the powerful.

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.

How could sparrows and swallows know the ambition of a great swan?

Plain meaningPeople with small horizons may not understand a larger dream.

Be concerned before all under heaven are concerned, and enjoy happiness only after all under heaven enjoy it.

Plain meaningLeadership means carrying responsibility before taking reward.

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.

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.

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.