Confucius Quotes
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Those whose courses are different cannot lay plans for one another.
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The superior man, even when he is not moving, has a feeling of reverence, and while he speaks not, he has the feeling of truthfulness.
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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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The demands that good people make are upon themselves; Those that bad people make are upon others.
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Who heeds not the future will find sorrow at hand.
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If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength; if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if in his intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere – although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.
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In language clarity is everything.
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When a man feels the difficulty of doing, can he be other than cautious and slow in speaking?
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When I am with others, they are my teachers. I can select their good points and follow them, and select their bad points and avoid them.
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Not to mend one's ways when one has erred is to err indeed.
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When a person should be spoken with, and you don't speak with them, you lose them. When a person shouldn't be spoken with and you speak to them, you waste your breath. The wise do not lose people, nor do they waste their breath.
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The gentleman prefers to be slow in word but diligent in action.
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To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.
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We should not be too familiar with the lower orders or with women.
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The general of a large army may be defeated, but you cannot defeat the determined mind of a peasant.
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Being strong does not mean that you never fall down, but that whenever you fall, you get up again.
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By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
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What the great learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.
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Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
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Sincerity is the way of heaven.
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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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There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life -reciprocity.
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To study and at times practice what one has learned, is this not a pleasure?
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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.