Confucius Quotes
-
If you yourself desire establishment, then help others to get establishment; if you yourself want success, then help others to attain success.
-
Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!
-
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.
-
To be fond of learning is near to wisdom; to practice with vigor is near to benevolence; and to be conscious of shame is near to fortitude.
-
Know what you know and know that you don't know what you don't know — that is the characteristic of one who knows.
-
To err and not reform, this may indeed be called error.
-
If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening without regret.
-
Without Goodness one cannot enjoy enduring happiness.
-
Transport a handful of earth everyday and you will make a mountain.
-
In dealing with the dead, if we treat them as if they were entirely dead, that would show a want of affection and should not be done; or, if we treat them as if they were entirely alive, that would show a want of wisdom and should not be done.
-
If your desire is for good, the people will be good.
-
The way of the superior man may be compared to what takes place in traveling, when to go to a distance we must first traverse the space that is near, and in ascending a height, when we must begin from the lower ground.
-
A gentleman wishes to be slow to speak and quick to act.
-
Not too isolated, not too many relationships, the middle, that's wisdom.
-
She who is born with beauty is born with a sorrow for many a man.
-
Though Confucius served the Duke of Lu, a Chinese state, he made many enemies with the nobles of the land. His views antagonized the powerful nobles, who wanted the Duke to be a puppet in their hands. Confucius was exiled from the State of Lu for more than two decades. He lived in the countryside, spreading his teachings.
-
Shall I tell you what knowledge is? It is to know both what one knows and what one does not know.
-
Gentlemen should not waste their time on trivial games -- they should play go.
-
Writing cannot express all words, words cannot encompass all ideas.
-
The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.
-
To understand yourself is the key to wisdom.
-
A man is great not because he hasn't failed; a man is great because failure hasn't stopped him.
-
Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, seek to be worthy of being known.
-
The Master said of Gong Yechang, “He is marriageable. Although he was once imprisoned and branded as a criminal, he was in fact innocent of any crime.” The Master gave him his daughter in marriage. (Analects 5.1)