Confucius Quotes
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Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.
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A man exercising no forethought will soon experience present sorrow.
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She who is born with beauty is born with a sorrow for many a man.
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A wise man seeks by music to strengthen his soul: the thoughtless one uses it to stifle his fears.
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How should I know anything about another world when I know so little of this?
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Every journey starts with a single step.
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It is only the very wisest and the very stupidest who never change.
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If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening without regret.
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Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly.
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Faithfulness and sincerity are the highest things.
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If an urn lacks the characteristics of an urn, how can we call it an urn?
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The young should be dutiful at home, modest abroad, careful and true, overflowing in kindness for all, but in brotherhood with love. And if they have strength to spare they should spend it on the arts.
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The perfecting of one's self is the fundamental base of all progress and all moral development.
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When the multitude detests a man, inquiry is necessary; when the multitude likes a man, inquiry is equally necessary.
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Only one who bursts with enthusiasm do I instruct; Only one who bubbles with excitement do I enlighten. If I hold up one corner and you do not come back to me with the other three, I do not continue the lesson.
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Return good for good; return evil with justice.
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Sincerity is the end and beginning of things; without sincerity there would be nothing.
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The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear.
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Conscience is the inner voice which warns us that someone might be looking. Hear and you forget, see and you remember, do and you understand.
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By gaining the people, the kingdom is gained; by losing the people, the kingdom is lost.
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Who expects to be able to go out of a house except by the door? How is it then that no one follows this Way of ours?
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If there were an honorable way to get rich, I’d do it, even if it meant being a stooge standing around with a whip. But there isn’t an honorable way, so I just do what I like.
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The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.
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To find the Tao, there is nowhere you need to search. If it is not inside you, it is not the Tao.