Confucius Quotes
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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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Happiness is not at the top of the mountain, but in how to climb.
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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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Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
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The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
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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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Of neighborhoods, benevolence is the most beautiful. How can the man be considered wise who when he had the choice does not settle in benevolence.
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Settle one difficulty, and you keep a hundred away.
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The mirror reflects all objects without being sullied.
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Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly.
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Is there any one maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one's whole life? Surely the maxim of loving kindness is such: Do not unto others what you would not they should do unto you.
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Tea tempers the spirits and harmonizes the mind, dispels lassitude and relieves fatigue, awakens thought and prevents drowsiness, lightens or refreshes the body, and clears the perceptive faculties.
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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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If you know, say you know. If you don't know, say you don't know.
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The really faithful lover of learning holds fast to the Good Way till death.
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When three persons work together, each can be the teacher in some aspects.
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When abroad, behaveto everyone as if interviewing an honored guest; in directing the people, act as if you were assisting at a great sacrafice; DO NOT DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD NOT LIKE DONE TO YOURSELF: so there will be no murmuring against you in the country, and none in the family; your public life will arouse no ill-will nor your private life any resentment.
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It's only in winter that the pine and cypress are known to be evergreens.
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Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone.
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To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content.
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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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A father's and a mother's age must be borne in mind; with joy on the one hand, fear on the other.
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To know everything is to know nothing, but to know nothing is to know everything.