26. The man of worth is really great. without being proud; the mean. man is proud, without being really great.
27. Time flies like an arrow:. days and months like a. weaver's shuttle.
28. It is said in the Ye-king, that Of those men, whose talent is inconsiderable, while their station is eminent, and of those,.whose knowledge is small, while, their. schemes are large, --there are few who do not become miserable.
29. When a man obtain a large sum, without having earned it, if it does not make him very happy, it will certainly make him very unhappy.
30. Though a man may be utterly stupid, he is very perspicacious while reprehending the bad actions of others; though he may be very intelligent, he is dull enough, while excusing his own faults. Do you only correct yourself on the same principle that you correct others, and excuse others on the same principle that you excuse yourself.
31. The figure of men in ancient times resembled that of' wild beasts, but their hearts contained the most perfect virtue. The outward appearance of the present race of men is human, but their dispositions re utterly brutish.
32. Do not anxiously expect what is. not yet come; do not vainly regret what is already past.
33. Men's passions are like water. When water has once flowed over, it cannot easily be restored; .when the passions have once been. indulged, they cannot, easily be restrained. Water must be kept in by dykes, the passions must be regulated by the laws of propriety.
34. Without ascending the. Mountain, we cannot admire the height of heaven; without descending into the valley, we cannot admire the depth of the earth; without listening to the maxims left by the ancient Kings; we cannot know the excellence of wisdom.
35. In making a candle, we seek for light; in studying a book, we seek for reason: light, to illuminate a dark chamber; reason, to enlighten man's heart.
36. By learning, the sons of the common people become public ministers; without learning, the sons of public ministers become mingled with the mass of the people.
37. Though an affair may be easily accomplished, if it is not attended to, it will never be completed: though your son may be well-disposed, if he is not instructed, he will still remain ignorant.
38. If you love your son, be liberal in punishment; if you hate your son, accustom him to dainties.
39. Past events are as clear as a mirror; the future, as obscure as varnish.
40. What exists in the morning, we cannot be certain of in the evening; what exists in the evening, we cannot calculate upon for the next morning. The fortunes of men are as variable as the winds and clouds of heaven.
41. When you are happier than usual, you should be prepared against some great misfortune. Where joy-is extreme, it precedes grief. Having obtained the Imperial favour, you should think of disgrace; living in quiet, you should think of danger. When your glory is complete, your disgrace will be the greater; when your success is great, your ruin will be the deeper.
42. In security, do not forget danger: in.times of public tranquillity, be prepared against anarchy.
43. The fishes, though deep in the water, may be hooked; the birds, though high in the air, may be shot; but man's secret thoughts are out of our reach. The heavens may be measured. the earth may be Surveyed; the heart of man only is not to be known.
44. Riches are what the man of worth considers lightly; death is what the mean man deems of importance.
45. When the man of a naturally good propensity has much wealth, it injures his advancement in wisdom: when the worthless man has much wealth, it increases his faults.
46. In enacting laws, rigour is indispensable; in executing them, mercy.
47. Do not consider any vice as trivial, and therefore practice it: do not consider any virtue as unimportant, and therefore neglect it.
48. Following virtue is like ascending a steep: following vice, like rushing down a precipice.
49. All events are separately fated before they happen. Floating on the stream of life, it is in vain that we torment ourselves. Nothing proceeds from the machinations of men, but the whole of our lives is planned by destiny.
50. A vicious wife, and. an untoward Son, no laws can govern.
