Confucius Quotes
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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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The man of humanity delights in mountains.
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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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To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.
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The whole end of speech is to be understood.
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A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?
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To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.
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The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived.
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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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Some may study side by side, and yet be asunder when they come to the logic of things.
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Excess weakens the spirits.
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The Master said, "Wealth and honor are things that all people desire, and yet unless they are acquired in the proper way I will not abide them. Poverty and disgrace are things that all people hate, and yet unless they are avoided in the proper way I will not despise them. If the gentleman abandons ren, how can he be worthy of that name? The gentleman does not violate ren even for the amount of time required to eat a meal. Even in times of urgency or distress, he does not depart from it."
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Place where man laughs, sings, picks flowers, chases butterflies and pets birds, makes love with maidens, and plays with children. Here he spontaneously reveals his nature, the base as well as the noble. Here also he buries his sorrows and difficulties and cherishes his ideals and hopes. It is in the garden that men discover themselves. Indeed one discovers not only his real self but also his ideal self?he returns to his youth. Inevitably the garden is made the scene of man's merriment, escapades, romantic abandonment, spiritual awakening or the perfection of his finer self.
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Riches and honor are what everyone desires, but if they can be gained only by doing evil, they must not be held. Don't worry about not being in office, worry about qualifying yourself for office. Don't worry that no one knows you, but seek to be worthy of being known.
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To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.
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The rich fool is like a pig that is choked by its own fat.
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When anger rises, think of the consequences.
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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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Be faithful and true of word; let thy walk be plain and lowly: thou wilt get on, though in savage land. If thy words be not faithful and true, thy walk plain and lowly, wilt thou get on, though in thine own home? Standing, see these words ranged before thee; driving, see them written upon the yoke. Then thou wilt get on.
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Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.
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To study and at times practice what one has learned, is this not a pleasure?
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I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
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The gentleman prefers to be slow in word but diligent in action.
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Here is an example of Confucius sayings: "It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." In a few words, Confucius teaches us about patience, perseverance, discipline, and hard work. But if you probe further, you will see more layers. Confucius' philosophies have significantly influenced spiritual and social thought. His views bear insight and depth of wisdom. You can apply his teachings in every sphere of life. Confucius' profound teachings are based on humanism.