CHINESE MORAL MAXIMS.*

Though the good man be plunged in want, his virtue still remains to him.

The poverty of others is not to be ridiculed, for the decrees of destiny are in the end equal; nor are the infirmities of age a fit subject for laughter, since they must at last be the portion of us all.

Though the white gem be cast into the dirt, its purity cannot be (lastingly) sullied; though the good man live in a vile place, his heart cannot be depraved.

If you do not entreat their assistance, all men will ap pear good natured; if you do not want to drink, it makes little difference whether the wine be dear or cheap.

It is not easy to stop the fire, when the water is at a far distance: friends at hand are better than relatives afar off.

There are only three great rules to be observed by those who hold public situations, viz: To be upright, to be circumspect, to be diligent. Those who know these three rules, know that by which they will insure their own safety in office.

* Taken from a work compiled by John Francis Davis, F.R.S., China, 1823.

A man's prosperous or declining condition, may be gathered from the proportion of his waking to his sleeping hours. Unsullied poverty is always happy, while impure wealth brings with it many sorrows.

The fame of men's good actions seldom goes beyond their own doors; but their evil deeds are carried to a thousand miles' distance.*

The sincerity of him who assents to everything must be small; and he who praises you inordinately to your face must be altogether false.

Petty distinctions are injurious to rectitude; quibbling words violate right reason.

Though powerful medicines be nauseous to the taste, they are good for the disease; though candid advice be unpleasant to the ear, it is profitable for the conduct.

To show compassion toward the people by remitting the severity of the taxes, is the virtue of the prince; and to offer up their possessions, sinking their private views in regard for the public, is the duty of the people.

The advantages of wise institutions can be sought for only in an inflexible observance of them.

If a man does not receive guests at home, he will meet with very few hosts abroad.

There are plenty of acquaintances in the world, but very few real friends.

The evidence of others is not comparable to personal experience; nor is "I heard," so good as "I saw.”

We should make it the business of our lives to control

"The evil which men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones."

-Shakspeare.

FBRAH

OF THE

(UNIVERSITA

our temper; and whenever we find it becoming unruly, that instant bring it into order.

Wisdom, virtue, benevolence, and rectitude, without politeness, are imperfect.

The dread of punishments is the best method of avoiding them.

It is better to believe that a man does possess good qualities than to assert that he does not.

As it is impossible to please men in all things, our only care should be to satisfy our own consciences.

A man's countenance is a sufficient index of his prosperity or adversity, without asking him any questions. Adversity is necessary to the development of men's virtues.*

It is too late to pull the rein when the horse has gained the brink of a precipice; the time for stopping the leak is passed, when the vessel is in the midst of the river.

The scholar is acquainted with all things, without the trouble of going out of doors.

Those who respect themselves, will be honorable; but he who thinks lightly of himself, will be held cheap by the world.

Great promises are not followed by corresponding actions.

As the behavior of the world toward men of learning is respectful, learned men should have a due respect for themselves.

Expel pernicious doctrines, that the true code may be duly honored.

If the stream be not confined, it will soon flow away

* "Sweet are the uses of adversity."-Shakspeare.

and become dry; if wealth be not economized, there will be no limits to its expenditure, and it will soon be wasted.

It is easy to convince a wise man ; but to reason with a fool is a difficult undertaking.

be

To meet an old friend in a distant country may compared to the delightfulness of rain after a long drought.

Speak of men's virtues as if they were your own, and of their vices as if you were liable to their punishment. The slow horse is fated to receive the lash; the worthless man will ultimately get his deserts.

Inattention to minute actions will ultimately be prejudicial to a man's virtue.

Though a poor man should live in the midst of a noisy market, no one will ask about him; though a rich man should bury himself among the mountains, his relations will come to him from a distance.

Knowledge is boundless; but the capacity of one man is limited.

Plausible words are not so good as straightforward conduct.

A single conversation across the table with a wise man, is better than ten years' mere study of books.

Virtue is the surest road to longevity; but vice meets with an early doom.

The spontaneous gifts of Heaven are of high value; but the strength of perseverance gains the prize.

In the days of affluence, always think of poverty; do not let want come upon you, and make you remember with sorrow the time of plenty.

Prevention is better than cure.

Modesty is attended with profit; arrogance brings on destruction.

It is equally criminal in the governor and the governed, to violate the laws.

Meeting with difficulties, we think of our relations; on the brink of danger, we rely on our friends.

Do not love idleness and hate labor; do not be diligent in the beginning, and in the end lazy.

The mulberry slip follows its youthful bent.

He who can suppress a moment's anger will prevent lasting sorrow.

Better to be upright with poverty, than depraved with an abundance.

The man of worth is really great without being proud; the mean man is proud, without being really great.

Do not anxiously hope for what is not yet come; do not vainly regret what is already past.

Water must be kept in by dykes; the passions must be ruled by the laws of propriety.

If you have fields, and will not plow them, your barns will be empty; if you have books, and will not give instruction, your offspring will be ignorant.

When you are happier than usual, you ought to be prepared against some great misfortune; living in peace, you should think of danger.

When the mirror is highly polished, the dust will not defile it; when the heart is enlightened with wisdom, licentious vices will not arise in it.

Forming resentments with mankind may be called "planting misery."

In enacting laws, rigor is indispensable; in executing them, mercy.