Confucius Quotes
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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 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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Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
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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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True knowledge is when one knows the limitations of one's knowledge.
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The proper man understands equity, the small man profits.
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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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I used to listen to what others said, and expect them to act accordingly. But nowadays, I listen to what they say, and then observe what they do.
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The cautious seldom err.
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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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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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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.
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The person of benevolence never worries.
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To throw oneself into strange teachings is quite dangerous.
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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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When three persons work together, each can be the teacher in some aspects.
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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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The gentleman desires to be halting in speech but quick in action.
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If you chase two rabbits, you catch none.
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When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
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The superior man... does not set his mind either for or against anything, he will pursue whatever is right. The superior man thinks of virtue, the common man of comfort.
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Make fair agreements and stick to them.
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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 Three Armies can be deprived of their commanding officer, but even a common man cannot be deprived of his purpose.