Confucius Quotes
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In antiquity men studied for their own sake; nowadays men study for the sake of impressing others.
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Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.
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One who can move mountains start with the little stones.
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There are three unfilial acts: the greatest of these is the failure to produce sons.
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I have not seen one who loves virtue as he loves beauty.
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Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.
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Respect the gods, but have as little to do with them as possible.
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Let a man be stimulated by poetry, established by the rules of propriety, and perfected by music.
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Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.
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A man exercising no forethought will soon experience present sorrow.
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If my mind be not engaged in worship, it is as though I worshipped not.
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All wisdom is rooted in learning to call things by the right name. When things are properly identified, they fall into natural categories and understanding becomes orderly.
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The man of perfect virtue, wishing to be established himself, seeks also to establish others; wishing to be enlarged himself, he seeks also to enlarge others.
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There are three sorts of pleasures which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Finding pleasure in the discriminating study of ceremonies and music, finding pleasure in discussing the good points in the conduct of others, and finding pleasure in having many wise friends, these are advantageous. But finding pleasure in profligate enjoyments, finding pleasure in idle gadding about, and finding pleasure in feasting, these are injurious.
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Justice for All in the World.
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Unify your attention. Do not listen with your ears, but with your mind. Do not listen with your mind but with your essence.
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To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.
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Study the past if you would define the future. I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there. Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
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What can a man do with music who is not benevolent?
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To become a leader, you must first become a human being.
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A reasonable man adjusts himself to the world. An unreasonable man expects the world to adjust itself to him. Therefore all progress is made by unreasonable people.
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If doing what ought to be done be made the first business and success a secondary consideration--is not this the way to exalt virtue?
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We can know a person by observing his behaviour, understanding the reasons for his actions and ascertaining his intentions. If we do this, how can we not know him?
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When you serve your mother and father it is okay to try to correct them once in a while. But if you see that they are not going to listen to you, keep your respect for them and don't distance yourself from them. Work without complaining.