1、性相近也，习相远也。

By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.

 

2、过而不改，是谓过矣。

Not to mend the fault one has made is to err indeed.

3、己所不欲，勿施于人。

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

4、言必信，行必果。

Keep what you say and carry out what you do.

5、君子以文会友，以友辅仁。

The superior man on grounds of culture meets with his friends, and by their friendship helps his virtue.

6、三军可夺师也，匹夫不可夺志也。

The commander of the forces of a large State may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him.

7、后生可畏，焉知来者之不如今也？

A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?

8、有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？

Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?

9、人不知而不愠，不亦君子乎？

Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of him?

10、父在，观其志。父没，观其行。三年无改于父之道，可谓孝矣。

While a man’s father is alive, look at the bent of his will; when his father is dead, look at his conduct. If for three years he does not alter from the way of his father, he may be called filial.

11、不患人之不己知，患不知人也。

I will not be afflicted at men’s not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I do not know men.

12、诗三百，一言以蔽之，曰：思无邪。

In the Book of Poetry are three hundred pieces, but the design of them all may be embraced in one sentence– “Having no depraved thoughts.”

13、关睢乐而不淫，哀而不伤。

The Kwan Tsu is expressive of enjoyment without being licentious, and of grief without being hurtfully excessive.

14、父母在，不远游，游必有方。

While his parents are alive, the son may not go abroad to a distance. If he does go abroad, he must have a fixed place to which he goes.

 

15、未知生，焉知死。

If life is not understood, how could death be fathomed.

 

16、学而时习之，不亦说乎？

Isn’t is a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?

 

17、学而不思则惘，思而不学则怠。

To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.

 

18、欲速则不达。

More haste, less speed.

 

19、人无远虑，必有近忧。

He who does not care about the future is sure to have oncoming worries.

 

20、三人行必有我师。

Among three people, there must be one who can be my teacher.

 

21、其身正，不令而行。 

Set a good example, any others will follow.

 

22、温故而知新，可以为师矣。

Reviewing what you have learned and learning anew, you are fit to be a teacher.