"Riches and honor are what everyone desires,..." - Quote by Confucius
Riches and honor are what everyone desires, but if they can be gained only by doing evil, they must not be held. Don't worry about not being in office, worry about qualifying yourself for office. Don't worry that no one knows you, but seek to be worthy of being known.
More by Confucius
“The young should be dutiful at home, modest abroad, careful and true, overflowing in kindness for all, but in brotherhood with love. And if they have strength to spare they should spend it on the arts.”
“A man exercising no forethought will soon experience present sorrow.”
“If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge so as continually to be acquiring new, he may be a teacher of others.”
More on Ethics
“Violence becomes imperative when an attempt is made to assert rights without any reference to duties.”
“It is awful hard to get people interested in corruption unless they can get some of it.”
“Of course you want to be rich and famous. It's natural. Wealth and fame are what every man desires. The question is: What are you willing to trade for it?”
More on Virtue
“Let every man consider virtue as what devolves on himself. He may not yield the performance of it even to his teacher.”
“In other words, character is far more important than intellect to the race as to the individual. We need intellect, and there is no reason why we should not have it together with character; but if we must choose between the two we choose character without a moment's hesitation.”
“Never suppose that in any possible situation or under any circumstances that it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing however slightly so it may appear to you... Encourage all your virtuous dispositions, and exercise them whenever an opportunity arises, being assured that they will gain strength by exercise ... and that exercise will make them habitual.”