The commander of the forces of a large state may be carried off, but the will of even a… — Confucius
The commander of the forces of a large state may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him.
From James Legge, Analects IX (PD)
More from Confucius
— ConfuciusTo know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.
— ConfuciusIt does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
— ConfuciusLearning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.
— ConfuciusOur greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.