Confucius Quotes
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The whole end of speech is to be understood.
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Those whose courses are different cannot lay plans for one another.
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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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To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.
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How great is the path proper to the Sage! Like overflowing water, it sends forth and nourishes all things, and rises up to the height of heaven. All-complete is its greatness! It embraces the three hundred rules of ceremony, and the three thousand rules of demeanor. It waits for the proper man, and then it is trodden. Hence it is said, 'Only by perfect virtue can the perfect path, in all its courses, be made a fact.'
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Excess weakens the spirits.
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Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?
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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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A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.
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The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name.
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If there were one word that could act as a standard of conduct for one's entire life, perhaps it would be 'thoughtfulness.
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To love a thing means wanting it to live.
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Do not treat others as you yourself would not be treated.
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When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
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It doesn't make a difference how gradually you go so long as you don't stop.
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The gentleman prefers to be slow in word but diligent in action.
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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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He who sling mud, lose ground.
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If I do not participate in the sacrifice, it is as if I did not sacrifice at all.
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A person of character takes as much trouble to discover what is right as the lesser men take to discover what will pay.
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Respect yourself and others will respect you.
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If we don't know life, how can we know death?
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You cannot open a book without learning something.
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I have never seen one who really loves goodness or one who really hates wickedness. One who really loves goodness will not place anything above it. One who really hates wickedness will practice goodness in such a way that wickedness will have no chance to get at him. Is there anyone who has devoted his whole strength to doing good for even as long as a single day? I have not seen anyone give up such an attempt because he had not the strength to go on. Perhaps there is such a case, but I have never seen it.