Confucius Quotes
-
If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.
-
Do not answer the person whose questions are vile. Do not question a person whose answers are vile.
-
Look closely into his aims, observe the means by which he pursues them, discover what brings him content - and can the man's real worth remain hidden from you?
-
If one leads them with administrative measures and uses punishments to make them conform, the people will be evasive, but if one leads them with virtue, they will come up to expectations.
-
I could see peace instead of this.
-
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.
-
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
-
Don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you.
-
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.
-
Look for an occupation that you like, and you will not need to labor for a single day in your life.
-
Expect much from yourself and little from others and you will avoid incurring resentments.
-
He who chases two rabbits, catches none.
-
What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others.
-
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.
-
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?
-
It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.
-
Sincerity is that whereby self-completion is effected, and its way is that by which man must direct himself.
-
Things that are done, it is needless to speak about...things that are past, it is needless to blame.
-
If I am virtuous and worthy, for whom should I not maintain a proper concern?
-
Do not worry about not holding high position; worry rather about playing your proper role. Worry not that no one knows of you; seek to be worth knowing.
-
Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
-
Exemplary people concern themselves with virtue, small people concern themselves with territory. The ruling class thinks of punishment, the lower classes hope for benevolence.
-
A youth is to be regarded with respect.
-
I am not an originator but a transmitter.