Confucius said: 'There are three things the gentleman guards against: In youth, when the blood and spirit are unruly, he guards against lust. In maturity, when blood and spirit are at their strongest, he guards against strife. In old age, he guards against avarice.'

Confucius said: 'The highest are those born with knowledge. Next are those who acquire knowledge through study. Next are those who study despite difficulties. And the lowest are those who, even with difficulties, will not study.'

Confucius said: 'By nature, men are nearly alike. By practice, they diverge widely. Only the wisest and the most foolish never change.'

The Master said: 'To fail to speak to a man who is capable of benefiting is to let a man go to waste. To speak to a man who is incapable of benefiting is to let your words go to waste. The wise man wastes neither men nor words.'