Confucius Quotes
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The gentleman holds justice to be of highest importance. If a gentleman has courage but neglects justice, he becomes insurgent. If an inferior man has courage but neglects justice, he becomes a thief.
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You do not understand even life. How can you understand death?
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A workman who wants to do his work well must first prepare his tools.
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Sincerity is the way of heaven.
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Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
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From a grain of sand in the Pearl comes.
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Bird in hand makes it harder to blow nose.
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Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.
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A man of wisdom delights in water.
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The person who is not strong enough gives up at the halfway point - but you are limiting yourself before even starting.
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Roads were made for journeys not destinations.
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Don't be concerned that you have no position; be concerned how you may fit yourself to occupy one.
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Charity, like the sun, brightens every object on which it shines.
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If the people are governed by laws and punishment is used to maintain order, they will try to avoid the punishment but have no sense of shame. If they are governed by virtue and rules of propriety are used to maintain order, they will have a sense of shame and will become good as well.
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An angry man is full of poison.
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Only the supremely wise and the ignorant do not alter.
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The demands that a great man makes are on himself; those of a petty man are upon others.
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I have never seen a man as fond of virtue as of women.
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When superiors are fond of showing their humanity, inferiors try to outstrip one another in their practice of it.
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The higher type of man clings to virtue, the lower type of man clings to material comfort. The higher type of man cherishes justice, the lower type of man cherishes the hope of favors to be received.
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He who kisses girl on hillside is not level.
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Things that are done, it is needless to speak about...things that are past, it is needless to blame.
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Who keeps the old akindle and adds new knowledge is fitted to be a teacher.
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The Master said, “A true gentleman is one who has set his heart upon the Way. A fellow who is ashamed merely of shabby clothing or modest meals is not even worth conversing with.” (Analects 4.9)