CONFUCIUS
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Confucius
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
Confucius
Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.
Confucius
An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.
Confucius
And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.
Confucius
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
Confucius
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Confucius
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Confucius
Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.
Confucius
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Confucius
Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.
Confucius
Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.
Confucius
He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.
Confucius
He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.
Confucius
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
Confucius
Heaven means to be one with God.
Confucius
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Confucius
I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.
Confucius
I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me;I will be concerned at my own want of ability.
Confucius
If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.
Confucius
If we don't know life, how can we know death?
Confucius
If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
Confucius
In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
Confucius
Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, see to the (be?) worthy of being known.
Confucius
It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.
Confucius
It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
Confucius
It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.
Confucius
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
Confucius
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
Confucius
Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!
Confucius
Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
Confucius
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
Confucius
No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.
Confucius
Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.
Confucius
One atom of the plane where He functions would shatter the world.
Confucius
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
Confucius
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Confucius
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.
Confucius
Silence is a true friend who never betrays.
Confucius
Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
Confucius
Study the past, if you would divine the future.
Confucius
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
Confucius
The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.
Confucius
The cautious seldom err.
Confucius
The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.
Confucius
The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.
Confucius
The object of the superior man is truth.
Confucius
The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.
Confucius
The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
Confucius
The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
Confucius
The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.
Confucius
The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.
Confucius
The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.
Confucius
The wheel of fortune turns round incessantly, and who can say to himself, I shall to-day be uppermost.
Confucius
The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
Confucius
They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
Confucius
To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.
Confucius
To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.
Confucius
To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.
Confucius
To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge.
Confucius
To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
Confucius
To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.
Confucius
To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.
Confucius
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
Confucius
Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.
Confucius
What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
Confucius
When anger rises, think of the consequences.
Confucius
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.
Confucius
When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
Confucius
When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.
Confucius
When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.
Confucius
Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
Confucius
You cannot open a book without learning something.
Confucius
Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.
Confucius
- More quotations on: [Mistakes]
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
Confucius
Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.
Confucius
Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
Confucius
- More quotations on: [Kindness]
He who will not economize will have to agonize.
Confucius
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Confucius
Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.
Confucius
It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.
Confucius
Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.
Confucius
Respect yourself and others will respect you.
Confucius
- More quotations on: [Respect]
Study the past if you would define the future.
Confucius
The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved.
Confucius
- More quotations on: [Security]
To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.
Confucius
To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.
Confucius
To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.
Confucius
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
Confucius
When anger rises, think of the consequences.
Confucius
- More quotations on: [Anger]
When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
Confucius
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
Confucius
They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
Confucius, Analects
By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Have no friends not equal to yourself.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Friendship]
He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Exercise]
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Humility]
He with whom neither slander that gradually soaks into the mind, nor statements that startle like a wound in the flesh, are successful may be called intelligent indeed.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Faith]
I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue would esteem nothing above it.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength; if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if in his intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere - although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! Virtue is at hand.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Learning]
Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Kindness]
The cautious seldom err.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The determined scholar and the man of virtue will not seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. They will even sacrifice their lives to preserve their virtue complete.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Humility]
The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Success]
The man who in view of gain thinks of righteousness; who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life; and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends - such a man may be reckoned a complete man.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The superior man cannot be known in little matters, but he may be entrusted with great concerns. The small man may not be entrusted with great concerns, but he may be known in little matters.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Humility] [Actions]
The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The superior man...does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what is right he will follow.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth...lust. When he is strong...quarrelsomeness. When he is old...covetousness.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Things that are done, it is needless to speak about...things that are past, it is needless to blame.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue...[They are] gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
When a man's knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Knowledge]
With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow - I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a floating cloud.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Character]
<- Previous Page Showing quotations 31 to 60 of 62 total
CONFUCIUS QUOTES
Confucius (551 B.C. - 479 B.C.)
ancient Chinese philosopher
Of all that Heaven produces and nourishes, there is none so great as man.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Ceremonies are the first thing to be attended to in the practice of government.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
From the loving example of one family a whole State may become loving, and from its courtesies, courteous; while from the ambition and perverseness of the one man the whole State may be thrown into rebellious disorder. Such is the nature of influence.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
It cannot be when the root is neglected that what springs from it will be well ordered.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The virtuous will be sure to speak uprightly; but those whose speech is upright may not be virtuous.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Man is born for uprightness. If a man lose his uprightness and yet live, his escape from death is mere good fortune.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The sun and moon shine on all without partiality.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The inner nature of man is the province of music.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
There is good government when those who are near are made happy, and when those who are afar are attracted.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The superior man, while his parents are alive, reverently nourishes them; and, when they are dead, reverently sacrifices to them. His thought to the end of his life is how not to disgrace them.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
If a man be under the influence of anger his conduct will not be correct.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Sincerity is the way of heaven.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with virtue.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Virtue is more to a man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The small man thinks that small acts of goodness are of no benefit, and does not do them; and that small deeds of evil do no harm, and does not refrain from them. Hence, his wickedness becomes so great that it cannot be concealed, and his guilt so great that it cannot be pardoned.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Even in killing men, observe the rules of propriety.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
By the ruler's cultivation of his own character there is set up the example of the course which all should pursue.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
When superiors are fond of showing their humanity, inferiors try to outstrip one another in their practice of it.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The scholar does not consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but loyalty and good faith.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
He who keeps danger in mind will rest safely in his seat.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Have no friends not equal to yourself.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
It was by music that the ancient kings gave elegant expression to their joy. By their armies and axes they gave the same to their anger.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Although your father and mother are dead, if you propose to yourself any good work, only reflect how it will make their names illustrious, and your purpose will be fixed.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.
CONFUCIUS
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Confucius
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
Confucius
Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.
Confucius
An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.
Confucius
And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.
Confucius
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
Confucius
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Confucius
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Confucius
Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.
Confucius
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Confucius
Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.
Confucius
Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.
Confucius
He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.
Confucius
He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.
Confucius
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
Confucius
Heaven means to be one with God.
Confucius
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Confucius
I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.
Confucius
I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me;I will be concerned at my own want of ability.
Confucius
If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.
Confucius
If we don't know life, how can we know death?
Confucius
If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
Confucius
In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
Confucius
Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, see to the (be?) worthy of being known.
Confucius
It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.
Confucius
It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
Confucius
It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.
Confucius
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
Confucius
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
Confucius
Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!
Confucius
Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
Confucius
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
Confucius
No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.
Confucius
Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.
Confucius
One atom of the plane where He functions would shatter the world.
Confucius
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
Confucius
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Confucius
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.
Confucius
Silence is a true friend who never betrays.
Confucius
Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
Confucius
Study the past, if you would divine the future.
Confucius
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
Confucius
The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.
Confucius
The cautious seldom err.
Confucius
The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.
Confucius
The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.
Confucius
The object of the superior man is truth.
Confucius
The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.
Confucius
The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
Confucius
The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
Confucius
The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.
Confucius
The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.
Confucius
The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.
Confucius
The wheel of fortune turns round incessantly, and who can say to himself, I shall to-day be uppermost.
Confucius
The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
Confucius
They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
Confucius
To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.
Confucius
To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.
Confucius
To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.
Confucius
To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge.
Confucius
To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
Confucius
To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.
Confucius
To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.
Confucius
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
Confucius
Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.
Confucius
What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
Confucius
When anger rises, think of the consequences.
Confucius
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.
Confucius
When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
Confucius
When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.
Confucius
When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.
Confucius
Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
Confucius
You cannot open a book without learning something.
Confucius
Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.
Confucius
- More quotations on: [Mistakes]
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
Confucius
Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.
Confucius
Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
Confucius
- More quotations on: [Kindness]
He who will not economize will have to agonize.
Confucius
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Confucius
Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.
Confucius
It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.
Confucius
Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.
Confucius
Respect yourself and others will respect you.
Confucius
- More quotations on: [Respect]
Study the past if you would define the future.
Confucius
The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved.
Confucius
- More quotations on: [Security]
To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.
Confucius
To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.
Confucius
To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.
Confucius
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
Confucius
When anger rises, think of the consequences.
Confucius
- More quotations on: [Anger]
When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
Confucius
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
Confucius
They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
Confucius, Analects
By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Have no friends not equal to yourself.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Friendship]
He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Exercise]
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Humility]
He with whom neither slander that gradually soaks into the mind, nor statements that startle like a wound in the flesh, are successful may be called intelligent indeed.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Faith]
I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue would esteem nothing above it.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength; if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if in his intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere - although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! Virtue is at hand.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Learning]
Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Kindness]
The cautious seldom err.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The determined scholar and the man of virtue will not seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. They will even sacrifice their lives to preserve their virtue complete.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Humility]
The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Success]
The man who in view of gain thinks of righteousness; who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life; and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends - such a man may be reckoned a complete man.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The superior man cannot be known in little matters, but he may be entrusted with great concerns. The small man may not be entrusted with great concerns, but he may be known in little matters.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Humility] [Actions]
The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
The superior man...does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what is right he will follow.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth...lust. When he is strong...quarrelsomeness. When he is old...covetousness.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Things that are done, it is needless to speak about...things that are past, it is needless to blame.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue...[They are] gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
When a man's knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Knowledge]
With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow - I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a floating cloud.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects
- More quotations on: [Character]
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CONFUCIUS QUOTES
Confucius (551 B.C. - 479 B.C.)
ancient Chinese philosopher
Of all that Heaven produces and nourishes, there is none so great as man.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Ceremonies are the first thing to be attended to in the practice of government.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
From the loving example of one family a whole State may become loving, and from its courtesies, courteous; while from the ambition and perverseness of the one man the whole State may be thrown into rebellious disorder. Such is the nature of influence.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
It cannot be when the root is neglected that what springs from it will be well ordered.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The virtuous will be sure to speak uprightly; but those whose speech is upright may not be virtuous.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Man is born for uprightness. If a man lose his uprightness and yet live, his escape from death is mere good fortune.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The sun and moon shine on all without partiality.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The inner nature of man is the province of music.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
There is good government when those who are near are made happy, and when those who are afar are attracted.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The superior man, while his parents are alive, reverently nourishes them; and, when they are dead, reverently sacrifices to them. His thought to the end of his life is how not to disgrace them.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
If a man be under the influence of anger his conduct will not be correct.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Sincerity is the way of heaven.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with virtue.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Virtue is more to a man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The small man thinks that small acts of goodness are of no benefit, and does not do them; and that small deeds of evil do no harm, and does not refrain from them. Hence, his wickedness becomes so great that it cannot be concealed, and his guilt so great that it cannot be pardoned.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Even in killing men, observe the rules of propriety.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
By the ruler's cultivation of his own character there is set up the example of the course which all should pursue.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
When superiors are fond of showing their humanity, inferiors try to outstrip one another in their practice of it.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
The scholar does not consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but loyalty and good faith.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
He who keeps danger in mind will rest safely in his seat.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Have no friends not equal to yourself.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
It was by music that the ancient kings gave elegant expression to their joy. By their armies and axes they gave the same to their anger.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Although your father and mother are dead, if you propose to yourself any good work, only reflect how it will make their names illustrious, and your purpose will be fixed.
CONFUCIUS, The Wisdom of Confucius
Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.
CONFUCIUS
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