Confucius Quotes
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The cautious seldom err.
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A man without persistence will never make a good shaman or a good physician.
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It is better to live in peace than in bitterness and strife.
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The mirror reflects all objects without being sullied.
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The proper man understands equity, the small man profits.
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The Master said, I set my heart on the Way, base myself on virtue, lean upon benevolence for support and take my recreation in the arts.
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When the wind blows,the grass bends.
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When abroad, behaveto everyone as if interviewing an honored guest; in directing the people, act as if you were assisting at a great sacrafice; DO NOT DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD NOT LIKE DONE TO YOURSELF: so there will be no murmuring against you in the country, and none in the family; your public life will arouse no ill-will nor your private life any resentment.
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Tzu Chang asked Confucius about jen. Confucius said, "If you can practice these five things with all the people, you can be called jen." Tzu Chang asked what they were. Confucius said, "Courtesy, generosity, honesty, persistence, and kindness. If you are courteous, you will not be disrespected; if you are generous, you will gain everything. If you are honest, people will rely on you. If you are persistent you will get results. If you are kind, you can employ people.
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It's only in winter that the pine and cypress are known to be evergreens.
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Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindness: Do not unto others that you would not have them do unto you.
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These are the four abuses: desire to succeed in order to make oneself famous; taking credit for the labors of others; refusal to correct one's errors despite advice; refusal to change one's ideas despite warnings.
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The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.
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When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
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He who keeps danger in mind, is he who will rest safe in his seat; he who keeps ruin in mind, is he who will preserve his interests secure.
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Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
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Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.
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If a man is respectful he will not be treated with insolence. If he is tolerant he will win the multitude. If he is trustworthy in word his fellow men will entrust him with responsibility. If he is quick he will achieve results.
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When people are educated, the distinction between classes disappears.
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Three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
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If one learns from others, but does not think, one will be bewildered. If, on the other hand, one thinks but does not learn from others, one will be in peril.
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The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.
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When there are duties to perform [true] servants and sons serve their labors.
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Exemplary persons are steadfast in the face of adversity, while petty persons are engulfed by it.