Confucius Quotes
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Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.
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Heaven means to be one with God.
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The man of humanity delights in mountains.
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The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a position of wealth and honor, he does what is proper to a position of wealth and honor. In a poor and low position, he does what is proper to a poor and low position.
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No lake so still but it has its wave. No circle so perfect but that it has its blur. I would change things for you if I could; As I can't you must take them as they are.
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There is good government when those who are near are made happy, and when those who are afar are attracted.
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To study and constantly, is this not a pleasure? To have friends come from far away places, is this not a joy? If people do not recognize your worth, but this does not worry you, are you not a true gentleman?
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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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Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more.
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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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When anger rises, think of the consequences.
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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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The rich fool is like a pig that is choked by its own fat.
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The Essence of Knowledge is, having it, to use it.
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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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It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
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I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
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Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
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It was by music that the ancient kings gave elegant expression to their joy. By their armies and axes they gave the same to their anger.
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They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.
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I am not concerned that I am not known, I seek to be worthy to be known.
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He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.
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I know how the birds fly, how the fishes swim, how animals run. But there is the Dragon. I cannot tell how it mounts on the winds through the clouds and flies through heaven. Today I have seen the Dragon.
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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."