The substance of benevolence is to serve one's parents; the substance of righteousness is to follow one's elder brothers. — Mencius
If one does not gain the pleasure of one's parents, one cannot be a human being; if one does not please one's parents, one cannot be a son. — Mencius
There are three joys of the gentleman, and ruling the world is not among them. The first is to have both parents alive and brothers unharmed. The second is to look up with no shame before heaven and look down with no shame before men. The third is to obtain the outstanding talent of the world and educate them. There are three joys of the gentleman, and ruling the world is not among them. — Mencius
There are five things called unfilial in the world. Neglecting one's limbs and not caring for the support of one's parents is the first. Being fond of gambling and drinking and not caring for the support of one's parents is the second. Being fond of wealth and favoring one's wife and children, thereby not caring for the support of one's parents, is the third. Following the desires of the eyes and ears, bringing disgrace to one's parents, is the fourth. Liking violence and quarreling, thereby endangering one's parents, is the fifth. — Mencius
Without a father and without a ruler, one is a beast. — Mencius
The distinction between the worthy and the unworthy must not be blurred, just as fate cannot be changed and beauty and ugliness cannot be transferred. — "Lüshi Chunqiu" (Spring and Autumn Annals of Lü)
A filial son does not flatter his parents, and a loyal minister does not curry favor with his ruler. This is the peak of a subject's conduct. — Zhuangzi
To serve one's parents without choosing a specific place to settle them, ensuring their comfort, is the ultimate in filial piety. — Zhuangzi
Etiquette cuts the long to shorten it, reduces the surplus to benefit the deficient. It conveys the forms of love and respect, thereby nurturing the beauty of righteous conduct. — Xunzi
In the nature of heaven and earth, humans are the most precious; among human actions, none is greater than filial piety, and among acts of filial piety, none is greater than respecting one's father. — "Classic of Filial Piety", Chapter on the Sage's Perfection
Parents are the root of a person. — Sima Qian. Serving one's parents with reverence is a merit surpassing the three sacrificial animals. — Zhi Yu
If there is no trust between father and son, the household will not be harmonious. — Wu Zetian
We should care for the elderly as if they were children. — (German) Goethe
In front of their children, parents should skillfully hide all their joys, sorrows, and fears. — (English) Francis Bacon
Respect for the elderly is one of the finest privileges of human spirit. — (French) Stendhal
