Confucius Quotes
-
How abundantly do spiritual beings display the powers that belong to them! We look for them, but do not see them; we listen to, but do not hear them; yet they enter into all things, and there is nothing without them.
-
The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.
-
The wise men of antiquity, when they wished to make the whole world peaceful and happy, first put their own States into proper order. Before putting their States into proper order, they regulated their own families. Before regulating their families, they regulated themselves. Before regulating themselves, they tried to be sincere in their thoughts. Before being sincere in their thoughts, they tried to see things exactly as they really were.
-
From the Son of Heaven down to the mass of the people, all must consider the cultivation of the person the root of everything besides.
-
To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace.
-
For benefits return benefits; for injuries return justice without any admixture of revenge.
-
While you are not able to serve men, how can you serve spirits of the dead...While you do not know life, how can you know about death.
-
Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.
-
If you devote your life to seeking revenge, first dig two graves.
-
True goodness springs from a man's own heart. All men are born good.
-
The gentleman has nine cares. In seeing he is careful to see clearly; in hearing he is careful to hear distinctly; in his looks he is careful to be kind, in his manner to be respectful, in his words to be sincere, in his work to be diligent. When in doubt he is careful to ask for information; when angry he has a care for the consequences; and when he sees a chance for gain, he thinks carefully whether the pursuits of it would be right.
-
When the wind blows,the grass bends.
-
Even in killing men, observe the rules of propriety.
-
The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.
-
Happiness is not at the top of the mountain, but in how to climb.
-
Silence is the true friend that never betrays.
-
A fool marvels at rare things, but a wise man at common ones.
-
When prosperity comes, do not use all of it.
-
Reviewing what you have learned and learning anew, you are fit to be a teacher.
-
When you are laboring for others, let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.
-
In a State, pecuniary gain is not to be considered to be prosperity, but its prosperity will be found in righteousness.
-
Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindness: Do not unto others that you would not have them do unto you.
-
Future generation is the most important thing.
-
If I were travelling with two partners, one virtuous and one dishonest, both would be useful as teachers. I would perceive what's good of the first one and I would imitate him whereas I would try to correct in me the defects I may see in the second one.