Confucius Quotes
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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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You do not understand even life. How can you understand death?
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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.
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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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Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.
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A gentleman considers justice to be essential in everything. He practices it according to the principles of propriety. He brings it forth in modesty and faithfully completes it. This is indeed a gentleman.
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Be versed in ancient lore, and familiarize yourself with the modern; then may you become teachers.
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The archer who misses his mark does not blame the target. He stops, corrects himself and shoots again.
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There are 3 elements essential in the matters of the State, Food, Military equipment, and Confidence of the people in the ruler. Of these 3, Military Equipment is the least important, Food being the 2nd important, and Confidence of the people being the MOST important. All men rather die of starvation than in war, but nevertheless all men do die of old age. Lacking in Confidence from the people, a state cannot survive.
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Sincerity is the way of heaven.
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Bird in hand makes it harder to blow nose.
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Time flows away like the water in the river.
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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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Watch their actions, observe their motives, examine wherein they dwell content; won't you know what kind of person they are?
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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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Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
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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.
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Who keeps the old akindle and adds new knowledge is fitted to be a teacher.
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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.
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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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There is only one thing in life which never changes, and it is change.
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The nobler sort of man emphasizes the good qualities in others, and does not accentuate the bad. The inferior does the reverse. . . . The nobler sort of man pays special attention to nine points. He is anxious to see clearly, to hear distinctly, to be kindly in his looks, respectful in his demeanor, conscientious in his speech, earnest in his affairs. When in doubt, he is careful to inquire; when in anger, he thinks of the consequences; when offered an opportunity for gain, he thinks only of his duty.
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If I understand Change, I shall make no great mistake in Life.