Confucius Quotes
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When words lose their meaning, people lose their liberty.
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The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.
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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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He who will not economize will agonize.
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When the wind blows,the grass bends.
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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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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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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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When people are educated, the distinction between classes disappears.
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Exemplary persons are steadfast in the face of adversity, while petty persons are engulfed by it.
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Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.
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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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Rotten wood cannot be carved.
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It's only in winter that the pine and cypress are known to be evergreens.
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A superior man may be made to go to the well, but he cannot be made to go down into it. He may be imposed upon, but he cannot be fooled.
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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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To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order; we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.
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Every house guest brings you happiness. Some when they arrive, and some when they are leaving.
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The vices come as passengers, visit us as guest and stay as masters.
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If you chase two rabbits, you catch none.
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The proper man understands equity, the small man profits.
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Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified, their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their States were rightly governed. Their States being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was made tranquil and happy.
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First there must be order and harmony within your own mind. Then this order will spread to your family, then to the community, and finally to your entire kingdom. Only then can you have peace and harmony.
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Fix your mind on truth, hold firm to virtue, rely on loving kindness, and find your recreation in the Arts.