"A collection of good sentences resembles a string of pearls."- Chinese Saying
1. THE man of first rate excellence is virtuous independently of instruction: he of the middling class is so after instruction the lowest order of men are vicious, in spite of instruction.
2. By a long journey we know a horse's strength; so length of days shews a man's heart.
3. The spontaneous gifts of Heaven are of high value; but the strength of perseverance gains the prize.
4. The generations of men follow each other, like the waves in a swollen river.
5. In the days. of affluence, always think of poverty: do not let want come upon you, and make you remember with regret the time of plenty. (The Chinese have also the following, in complete opposition to the foregoing, maxim.)
6. Let us get drunk to-day, while we have wine: the sorrows of to-morrow may be borne to-morrow.
7. To correct an evil which already exists, is not so well as to foresee. and prevent it.
8.Modesty is attended with profit: arrogance brings on destruction.
9. The growth of the mulberry tree. Corresponds with its early bent.
10. The same tree may produce sour and sweet fruit: the. same mother may have a virtuous and vicious progeny.
11. It is equally criminal in the governor, and the governed, to violate the laws.
12. As the scream of the eagle is heard when she has passed over; so a man's name remains after his death.
13. Questions of right. and wrong (with reference to men's characters) are every day arising: if not listened to, they die away of themselves.
14. Doubt and distraction are on earth: the brightness of truth in heaven.
15. In learning, age and youth go for nothing: the best informed takes the precedence.
16. Against open crimes, punishments can oppose a barrier: but secret offences it is difficult for the laws to reach.
17. If there be no faith in our words, of what use are they?
18. If there be a want of concord among members of the same family, other men will take advantage of it to injure them.
19. The world's unfavourable views of conduct and character are but as the floating clouds, from which the brightest day is not free.
20. Wine and good dinners make abundance of friends; but in the time of adversity, not one is to be found.
22. He who. can suppress a moment's anger, may prevent many days' sorrow.
23. The human relations are five in number, but that of husband and wife is the first in rank: the great ceremonies (or rites) amount to three thousand, but that of marriage is the most important.
24. Worldly fame and pleasure are destructive to the virtue of the mind; anxious thoughts and apprehensions are injurious to the health of the body.
25. In a field of melons, do not pull up your shoe: under a. plum-tree, do not adjust your cap, (i. e. be very careful of your conduct under circumstances of suspicion.)
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