Confucius Quotes
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A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.
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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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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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Respect the gods and the devils but keep them at a distance.
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Not to converse with a man worthy of conversation is to waste the man. To converse with a man not worthy of conversation is to waste words. The wise waste neither men nor words.
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See a person's means ... Observe his motives. Examine that in which he rests. How can a person conceal his character?
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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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What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
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I do not want a friend who smiles when I smile, who weeps when I weep; for my shadow in the pool can do better than that.
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The Gods cannot help those who do not seize opportunities.
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To take what you know for what you know, and what you do not know for what you do not know, that is knowledge indeed.
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If either wealth or poverty are come by honesty, there is no shame.
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If I am building a mountain and stop before the last basketful of earth is placed on the summit, I have failed.
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Even if I could, I would not exahnge their virtues for my own. And that is why they are intent on learning from me.
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It is goodness that gives to a neighborhood its beauty. One who is free to choose, yet does not prefer to dwell among the good - how can he be accorded the name of wise?
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Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
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I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your being.
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If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
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To love a thing means wanting it to live.
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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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He who flatters a man is his enemy. he who tells him of his faults is his maker.
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The superior man is quiet and calm, waiting for the appointments of heaven, while the mean man walks in dangerous paths, looking for lucky occurrences.
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If we don't know life, how can we know death?
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I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me;I will be concerned at my own want of ability.