Confucius Quotes
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The gentleman prefers to be slow in word but diligent in action.
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First there must be order and harmony within your own mind.
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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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At fifteen, my mind was bent on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was receptive to truth. At seventy, I could follow my heart's desires without sin
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The rich fool is like a pig that is choked by its own fat.
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Heaven means to be one with God.
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The superior man honors his virtuous nature, and maintains constant inquiry and study, seeking to carry it out to its breadth and greatness, so as to omit none of the more exquisite and minute points which it embraces, and to raise it to its greatest height and brilliancy.
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As in the case of making a mound, if, before the very last basketful, I stop, then I shall have stopped. As in the case of leveling the ground, if, though tipping only one basketful, I am going forward, then I shall be making progress.
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Those whose courses are different cannot lay plans for one another.
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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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There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute.
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When the perfect order prevails, the world is like a home shared by all. Leaders are capable and virtuous. Everyone loves and respects their own parents and children as well as the parents and children of others. The old are cared for, adults have jobs, children are nourished and educated. There is a means of support for all those who are disabled or find themselves alone in the world. Everyone has an appropriate role to play in the family and society. Devotion to public duty leaves no place for idleness. Scheming for ill gain is unknown. Sharing displaces selfishness and materialism.
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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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Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more.
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We should not be too familiar with the lower orders or with women.
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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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If the people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given them by punishments, they will try to avoid the punishment, but have no sense of shame.
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A man living without conflicts, as if he never lives at all.
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A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.
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When wealth is centralized, the people are dispersed. When wealth is distributed, the people are brought together.
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The Essence of Knowledge is, having it, to use it.
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If we don't know life, how can we know death?
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Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.