An oppressive government is more to be feared than a man-eating tiger.
More from Confucius
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
Permalink to quote #84 Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.
Permalink to quote #86 While you are not able to serve men, how can you serve spirits... While you do not know life, how can you know about death?
Permalink to quote #83