The loftiest in status are those who do not know their own status, and the most virtuous of them are those who do not know their own virtue.

For in prosperity a man is often puffed up with pride, whereas tribulations chasten and humble him through suffering and sorrow. In the midst of prosperity the mind is elated, and in prosperity a man forgets himself; in hardship he is forced to reflect on himself, even though he be unwilling. In prosperity a man often destroys the good he has done; amidst difficulties he often repairs what he long since did in the way of wickedness.

Things have their roots and branches. Affairs have their beginnings and their ends. To know what is first and what is last will lead one near the Way.

What grave liability one incurs when one calls a virtuous woman, a whore! It will ruin his countless lives to come. There is no liability if one calls a whore a virtuous woman!

The way of living virtuously is by never doing ourselves what we blame in others

Every person who is satisfied, content and happy thinks his understanding of happiness is truest because that is what he is experiencing. So, a virtuous person would subscribe his happiness to his virtuous deeds while an evil person would subscribe his happiness to his vices. Since a corrupt person has never lived a virtuous life, he will possibly never know the euphoria one derives from doing good deeds.

The evil of hypocrisy lies in presenting certain acts as virtues. Hypocrites cannot actually be virtuous, so they create certain things that make them appear virtuous.

People who don't like cats always seem to think there is some peculiar virtue in not liking them.

Being a victim doesn’t make one virtuous.

Censors are not virtuous but cowards, virtuous people can debate ideas that upset them and not demand opposing thoughts or words be expunged.