1. People cannot forgive themselves, nor can others forgive me.

From "Xicheng Waiji·Yaoyan" written by Li Xing in the Qing Dynasty.

Translation: People should not forgive themselves, nor should they ask others to forgive themselves.

2. If people do not seek preparation, they will fail to detect themselves.

It comes from "Shang Shu Yi Xun" written by the pre-Qin scholars.

Translation: You should not blame others for perfection, but you should check your own shortcomings quickly.

3. People who do not know their faults are ignorant.

From Xue Xuan's "Xue Wenqing Gongshulu·Police Training" written by Xue Xuan of the Ming Dynasty.

Translation: A person cannot know his own mistakes because he is confused.

4. If a person does not respect himself, he will be insulted; if he does not strengthen himself, he will be insulted.

From Xue Yingqi's "Records of Xue Fangshan Part 1" in the Ming Dynasty.

Translation: If people don’t know how to respect, love, and be self-reliant, they will be insulted.

5. A gentleman does not mirror water but mirrors people. When a mirror is in water, one can see one's appearance; when a mirror is in people, one can know good or bad luck.

From "Mozi Fei Gong" by Mozi during the Warring States Period.

Translation: A gentleman does not use water as a mirror, but uses other people as mirrors to check himself; using water as a mirror, he can see his own face, and using other people as mirrors, he will know good or bad luck.

6. A gentleman seeks everything from himself, while a villain seeks everything from others.

From "The Analects of Confucius·Ling Gong of Wei" by a disciple of Confucius in the Spring and Autumn Period.

Translation: Noble people have strict requirements on themselves, while despicable people like to be demanding of others.

7. A gentleman disciplines his body by careful conduct, but does not judge others by his careful conduct.

It comes from "Moguxia·Zhi Pian" written by Wei Yuan in the Qing Dynasty.

Translation: A noble person is always strict with himself in small things, but he does not use small things to demand others.

8. When a gentleman encounters difficulties, he must turn to others to benefit himself.

From "Er Cheng Quanshu·Yichuan·Yi Zhuan III" written by Cheng Hao & Cheng Yi in the Song Dynasty.

Translation: When a noble person encounters something that doesn’t work, he must look for the reason within himself, thereby strengthening self-cultivation.

9. Self-discipline should bring the autumn breeze, and handling matters should bring the spring breeze.

It comes from "Youmengying" by Zhang Chao in the Qing Dynasty.

Translation: Require yourself to be as strict as the autumn wind, and treat others as warm as spring.

10. A slight appearance can lead to humiliation.

From "Fayan·Cultivation" by Yang Xiong of the Han Dynasty.

Translation: Rongyi’s frivolous behavior will lead to insults.