34 Daily Motivation Quotes from Chinese Classics

As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman pursues self-improvement with unceasing determination.

Do no wrong because it is small; omit no good because it is minor.

Be rigorous with yourself and gentle with others—this keeps resentment at a distance.

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

When a just cause is at hand, do not yield even to your teacher.

A gentleman speaks with restraint and acts with diligence.

Arrogance invites loss; humility reaps gain.

Is it not the mark of a gentleman to remain unharmed when others do not recognize his worth?

Stand by your word; follow through on your actions.

In a party of three, one person must be worthy of being my teacher.

The gentleman is calm and broad-minded; the petty man is anxious and narrow-hearted.

Do not blame heaven; do not resent others.

Exercise patience in small matters, or great plans will be ruined.

Think three times before you act.

Those who do much wrong will bring about their own ruin.

All men make errors, but correcting them is true virtue.

Good medicine tastes bitter but heals; honest words offend but guide.

A kind word warms in winter; a cruel one chills in summer.

Learning without thinking confuses; thinking without learning risks danger.

Knowing what you know and admitting what you don't—that is true wisdom.

Excellence comes from diligence; failure springs from neglect.

Without small steps, a thousand miles cannot be traveled.

Ascend further to broaden your view.

Jade must be carved to become valuable; man must learn to understand truth.

An idle youth leads to a regretful old age.

Read extensively yet absorb the essence; accumulate richly yet express succinctly.

Prime years do not return; morning hours do not repeat.

Diligence is the path up the mountain of books; perseverance is the boat on the sea of learning.

Life is limited, but knowledge is boundless.

Every common man bears responsibility for the fate of his nation.

Adversity strengthens; comfort weakens.

Honor the aged in others' families as you honor your own; cherish the young in others' families as you cherish your own.

All people must die, but a death for justice weighs like a mountain, while a selfish death is light as a feather.

The lamb kneels to nurse; the crow feeds its mother—such is the duty of gratitude.