Confucius Quotes
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Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
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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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There are three marks of a superior man: being virtuous, he is free from anxiety; being wise, he is free from perplexity; being brave, he is free from fear.
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The proper man understands equity, the small man profits.
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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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Balance is the perfect state of still water. Let that be our model. It remains quiet within and is not disturbed on the surface.
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When three persons work together, each can be the teacher in some aspects.
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The cautious seldom err.
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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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To throw oneself into strange teachings is quite dangerous.
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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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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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Behave when away from home as though you were in the presence of an honored guest. Employ the people as though you were assisting at an important sacrifice. Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no feelings of opposition to you, whether it is the affairs of a state that you are handling or the affairs of a family.
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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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True knowledge is when one knows the limitations of one's knowledge.
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To know everything is to know nothing, but to know nothing is to know everything.
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The person of benevolence never worries.
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When words lose their meaning, people lose their liberty.
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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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The superior man undergoes three changes. Looked at from a distance, he appears stern; when approached, he is mild; when he is heard to speak, his language is firm and decided.
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The inner nature of man is the province of Music.
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The gentleman desires to be halting in speech but quick in action.
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The ideal teacher guides his students but does not pull them along; he urges them to go forward and does not suppress them; he opens the way but does not take them to the place.
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There are cases in which the blade springs, but the plant does not go on to flower. There are cases where it flowers, but no fruit is subsequently produced.