“I used to take on trust a man's deeds after having listened to his words. Now having listened to a man's words I go on to observe his deeds.”

“Not to discuss with a man worthy of conversation is to waste the man. To discuss with a man not worthy of conversation is to waste words. The wise waste neither men nor words.”

“For this reason the gentleman will employ a man on a distant mission and observe his degree of loyalty, will employ him close at hand and observe his degree of respect. He will hand him troublesome affairs and observe how well he manages them, will suddenly ask his advice and observe how wisely he answers. He will exact some difficult promise from him and see how well he keeps it, turn over funds to him and see with what benevolence he dispenses them, inform him of the danger he is in and note how faithful he is to his duties. He will get him drunk with wine and observe how well he handles himself, place him in mixed company and see what effect beauty has upon him. By applying these nine tests, you may determine who is the unworthy man.”

“The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

“He who flatters a man is his enemy. he who tells him of his faults is his maker.”

“He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.”

“The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.”