He said: "I cannot bear to hear myself called equal to the sages and the good.

All that can be said of me is, that I study with delight the conduct of the sages, and instruct men without weariness therein." "The good man is serene," said he, "the bad always in fear." "A good man regards the ROOT; he fixes the root, and all else flows out of it.

The root is filial piety; the fruit brotherly love." "There may be fair words and an humble countenance when there is little real virtue." "I daily examine myself in a threefold manner: in my transactions with men, if I am upright; in my intercourse with friends, if I am faithful; and whether I illustrate the teachings of my master in my conduct." "Faithfulness and sincerity are the highest things." "When you transgress, do not fear to return." "Learn the past and you will know the future." The great principles which he taught were chiefly based on family affection and duty.

He taught kings that they were to treat their subjects as children, subjects to respect the kings as parents; and these ideas so penetrated the national mind, that emperors are obliged to seem to govern thus, even if they do not desire it.

Confucius was a teacher of reverence,--reverence for God, respect for parents, respect and reverence for the past and its legacies, for the great men and great ideas of former times.