When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.

Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.

Human nature and deliberate effort must unite, and then the reputation of the sage and the work of unifying all under Heaven are thereupon brought to completion.

If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.

When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable.

Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.