Confucius Quotes
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When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
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When people are educated, the distinction between classes disappears.
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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 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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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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A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
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Make fair agreements and stick to them.
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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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Every house guest brings you happiness. Some when they arrive, and some when they are leaving.
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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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Exemplary persons are steadfast in the face of adversity, while petty persons are engulfed by it.
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Everyone calls his son his son, whether he has talents or has not talents.
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For benefits return benefits; for injuries return justice without any admixture of revenge.
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He who rules by moral force is like the pole star, which remains in place while all the lesser stars do homage to it.
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The Man who says he can, and the man who says he can not.. Are both correct.
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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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In a State, pecuniary gain is not to be considered to be prosperity, but its prosperity will be found in righteousness.
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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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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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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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There are three friendships which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Friendship with the upright; friendship with the sincere; and friendship with the man of much observation: these are advantageous. Friendship with the man of specious airs; friendship with the insinuatingly soft; and friendship with the glib-tongued: these are injurious.
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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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Justice is like the north star, which is fixed, and all the rest revolve about it.
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Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.