Confucius Quotes
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In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself.
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Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.
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Knowing something is not as good as liking it. Liking something is not as good as rejoicing in it.
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Those who understands is not better than those who appreciates, those who appreciates is not better than those who enjoys.
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It is the way of the superior man to prefer the concealment of his virtue, while it daily becomes more illustrious, and it is the way of the mean man to seek notoriety, while he daily goes more and more to ruin.
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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.
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If you try to do too much, you will not achieve anything.
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When a man feels the difficulty of doing, can he be other than cautious and slow in speaking?
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The superior man * * * in regard to his speech * * * is anxious that it should be sincere.
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The love to Wisdom is getting closer to the own bright path.
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It is better to play than do nothing.
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The gentleman sees what is right while the small man sees what is profitable.
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There is no body but eats and drinks. But they are few who can distinguish flavors.
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Isn't it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?
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When music and courtesy are better understood and appreciated, there will be no war.
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The gentleman desires to be halting in speech but quick in action.
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Among the appliances to transform the people, sound and appearances are but trivial influences.
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All wisdom is rooted in learning to call things by the right name. When things are properly identified, they fall into natural categories and understanding becomes orderly.
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The superior man, extensively studying all learning, and keeping himself under the restraint of the rules of propriety, may thus likewise not overstep what is right.
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Past scholars studied to improve themselves; Today's scholars study to impress others.
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If I cannot get men who steer a middle course to associate with, I would far rather have the impetuous and hasty. For the impetuous at any rate assert themselves.
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The superior person tries to promote music as a means to the perfection of human culture. When such music prevails, and people's minds are led towards the right ideals and aspirations, we may see the appearance of a great nation.
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Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.
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The Three Armies can be deprived of their commanding officer, but even a common man cannot be deprived of his purpose.