Confucius Quotes
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Shall I tell you what knowledge is? It is to know both what one knows and what one does not know.
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If language is not rectified, words do not correspond to meaning, and if words do not correspond to meaning, our deeds cannot be accomplished.
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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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Those who make virtue their profession are the ruin of virtue.
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To be fond of learning is to draw close to wisdom. To practice with vigor is to draw close to benevolence. To know the sense of shame is to draw close to courage. He who knows these three things knows how to cultivate his own character. Knowing how to cultivate his own character, he knows how to govern other men. Knowing how to govern other men, he knows how to govern the world, its states, and its families.
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A good man is not mine to see. Could I see a man possessed of constancy, that would satisfy me.
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All the darkness in the world can't put out the light of one candle.
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Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?
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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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To understand yourself is the key to wisdom.
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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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Remember even when alone, that the divine is everywhere.
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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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Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
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The Gods cannot help those who do not seize opportunities.
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To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge. When you say something, say what you know. When you don't know something, say you don't know. That is knowledge.
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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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I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me;I will be concerned at my own want of ability.
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To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.
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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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A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door.
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Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
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Wisdom delights in water; love delights in hills. Wisdom is stirring; love is quiet. Wisdom is merry; love grows old.
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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.