The unexamined life is not worth living.

Imagine prisoners chained underground since childhood, seeing only shadows on a wall and taking them for reality.

Unless philosophers rule as kings, or kings genuinely philosophize, there will be no end to troubles for states.

There is no envy in the good.

Do not say a little in many words, but a great deal in few.

-- Pythagoras

I know that I know nothing.

-- Socrates

I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.

-- Socrates

The highest goodness is like water. Water benefits all things and does not compete; it dwells in places others disdain, and so is close to the Tao.

-- Laozi

The trouble with people is that they love playing teacher to others.

-- Mencius

When three walk together, one is surely my teacher. I follow what is good and correct what is not.

-- Confucius