Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of honesty, self-control, and generosity in one's life.
Confucius suggests that by adhering to three fundamental principles—speaking the truth, maintaining composure instead of succumbing to anger, and being generous even in small acts—we can elevate ourselves spiritually and morally. This guidance serves as a path towards a virtuous life, aligning ourselves with divine qualities.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a motivational speech to encourage honesty and emotional control.
Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.
When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
An angry man is full of poison.
Speech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed.
The true method of knowledge is experiment.
You can be shaped, or you can be broken. There is not much in between. Try to learn. Be coachable. Try to learn from everybody, especially those who fail. This is hard. ... How promising you are as a Student of the Game is a function of what you can pay attention to without running away.
If we wish to follow Christ closely, we cannot choose an easy, quiet life. It will be a demanding life, but full of joy.
Affliction is enamoured of thy parts, And thou art wedded to calamity.
It is much easier to try one's hand at many things than to concentrate one's powers on one thing.
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