Confucius Quotes
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From a grain of sand in the Pearl comes.
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At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of right.
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Only the supremely wise and the ignorant do not alter.
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Charity, like the sun, brightens every object on which it shines.
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He who fails to prepare, prepares to fail.
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Men of principle are sure to be bold, but those who are bold may not always be men of principle.
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Tsze-Kung asked, “Is there one word with which to act in accordance throughout a lifetime?” The Master said, “Is not reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
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A man of wisdom delights in water.
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Table your mistakes, learn from them, then move on.
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Rate the task above the prize; will not the mind be raised? Fight thine own faults, not the faults of others; will not evil be mended?
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He who kisses girl on hillside is not level.
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When you see a good man, think of emulating him; when you see a bad man, examine your own heart.
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Chi Wen Tzu always thought three times before taking action. Twice would have been quite enough.
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Everyone eats and drinks; yet only few appreciate the taste of food.
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Sincerity is the way of heaven.
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Don't use cannon to kill musquito.
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The end of the day is near when small men make long shadows.
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Knowing what's correct and not doing it, it's the worst cowardice.
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When a nation or family is about to flourish, there are sure to be happy omens; and when it is about to perish, there are sure to be unlucky omens.
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He who works for his own interests will arouse much animosity.
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If your plan is for one year plant rice. If your plan is for ten years plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years educate children.
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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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Though Confucius served the Duke of Lu, a Chinese state, he made many enemies with the nobles of the land. His views antagonized the powerful nobles, who wanted the Duke to be a puppet in their hands. Confucius was exiled from the State of Lu for more than two decades. He lived in the countryside, spreading his teachings.
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Let every man consider virtue as what devolves on himself. He may not yield the performance of it even to his teacher.