The rational and the irrational are naturally different for different persons as are good and evil and profitable and unprofitable. For this reason we need to learn how to adjust our conceptions of rational and irrational and keep them in harmony with nature. When we determine the rational and the irrational we use both our estimates of external things and the criterion of our own character. This makes it most important that we understand ourselves. You must know how highly you value yourself and at what price you will sell yourself; different men sell themselves at different prices.
Epictetus 2 months ago

You do things when the opportunities come along. I’ve had periods in my life when I’ve had a bundle of ideas come along, and I’ve had long dry spells. If I get an idea next week, I’ll do something. If not, I won’t do a damn thing.
Warren Buffett
Read more at 2 months ago

Actions speak louder than words. 2 months ago

While you are not able to serve men, how can you serve spirits [of the dead]?...While you do not know life, how can you know about death?
Confucius 2 months ago

[The superior man] acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.
Confucius 2 months ago

Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.
Confucius 2 months ago

With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow – I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a floating cloud.
Confucius 2 months ago

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it – this is knowledge.
Confucius 2 months ago

When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
Confucius 2 months ago

When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
Confucius 2 months ago

When a man’s knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again.
Confucius 2 months ago

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
Confucius 2 months ago

What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others.
Confucius 2 months ago

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
Confucius 2 months ago

Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.
Confucius 2 months ago

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.
Confucius 2 months ago

To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue…[They are] gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
Confucius 2 months ago

Things that are done, it is needless to speak about…things that are past, it is needless to blame.
Confucius 2 months ago

There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth…lust. When he is strong…quarrelsomeness. When he is old…covetousness.
Confucius 2 months ago

The superior man…does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what is right he will follow.
Confucius 2 months ago

The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.
Confucius 2 months ago

The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
Confucius 2 months ago

The superior man cannot be known in little matters, but he may be entrusted with great concerns. The small man may not be entrusted with great concerns, but he may be known in little matters.
Confucius 2 months ago

The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
Confucius 2 months ago

The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it.
Confucius 2 months ago

The man who in view of gain thinks of righteousness; who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life; and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends – such a man may be reckoned a complete man.
Confucius 2 months ago

The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration.
Confucius 2 months ago