Confucius Quotes
-
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.
-
Rotten wood cannot be carved.
-
A man who reviews the old so as to find out the new is qualified to teach others.
-
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.
-
By the ruler's cultivation of his own character there is set up the example of the course which all should pursue.
-
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.
-
Everyone calls his son his son, whether he has talents or has not talents.
-
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.
-
We should worship as though the deity were present.
-
To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace.
-
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.
-
Fix your mind on truth, hold firm to virtue, rely on loving kindness, and find your recreation in the Arts.
-
The cautious seldom err.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Future generation is the most important thing.
-
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.
-
When prosperity comes, do not use all of it.
-
When people are educated, the distinction between classes disappears.
-
The vices come as passengers, visit us as guest and stay as masters.
-
When you are laboring for others, let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.
-
True goodness springs from a man's own heart. All men are born good.
-
The superior man is intelligently, not blindly, faithful.