Confucius Quotes
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When you are laboring for others, let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.
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Reviewing what you have learned and learning anew, you are fit to be a teacher.
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The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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True goodness springs from a man's own heart. All men are born good.
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He who will not economize will agonize.
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The vices come as passengers, visit us as guest and stay as masters.
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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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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.
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A fool marvels at rare things, but a wise man at common ones.
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When people are educated, the distinction between classes disappears.
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Every truth has four corners: as a teacher I give you one corner, and it is for you to find the other three.
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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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The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.
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Who contains himself goes seldom wrong.
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The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.
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If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge so as continually to be acquiring new, he may be a teacher of others.
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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.
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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.
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Exemplary persons are steadfast in the face of adversity, while petty persons are engulfed by it.
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The proper man understands equity, the small man profits.
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Signs and symbols rule the world, not words nor laws.