Confucius Quotes
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A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon others.
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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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A man living without conflicts, as if he never lives at all.
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Eat at your own as you would the table of a king.
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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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Being strong does not mean that you never fall down, but that whenever you fall, you get up again.
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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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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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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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The general of a large army may be defeated, but you cannot defeat the determined mind of a peasant.
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The more you know yourself, the more you forgive yourself.
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Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.
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If a man be under the influence of anger his conduct will not be correct.
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Don't let your past determine your destiny.
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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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The contrived language and the flattering attitude rarely come with the virtue.
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Character is the backbone of our human culture. Music is the flowering of character.
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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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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.
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An orchid in a deep forest sends out its fragrance even if no one is around to appreciate it.