If one should desire to know whether a kingdom is well governed, if its morals are good or bad, the quality of its music will furnish the answer.
ConfuciusWe take greater pains to persuade others that we are happy than in endeavoring to think so ourselves
ConfuciusThe superior man will watch over himself when he is alone. He examines his heart that there may be nothing wrong there, and that he may have no cause of dissatisfaction with himself.
ConfuciusEven if I could, I would not exahnge their virtues for my own. And that is why they are intent on learning from me.
ConfuciusThe superior man is easy to serve, but difficult to please ... The inferior man is difficult to serve, but easy to please.
ConfuciusThe faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.
ConfuciusGuide the people by law, subdue them by punishment; they may shun crime, but will be void of shame. Guide them by example, subdue them by courtesy; they will learn shame, and come to be good.
ConfuciusKnowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.
ConfuciusShall I tell you what knowledge is? It is to know both what one knows and what one does not know.
ConfuciusIf 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.
ConfuciusWealth and rank are what men desire, but unless they be obtained in the right way they may not be possessed. Poverty and obscurity are what men detest; but unless prosperity be brought about in the right way, they are not to be abandoned.
ConfuciusFirst and foremost, be faithful to your superiors, keep all promises, refuse the friendship of all who are not like you; and if you have made a mistake, do not be afraid of admitting the fact and amending your ways.
ConfuciusExemplary persons are steadfast in the face of adversity, while petty persons are engulfed by it.
ConfuciusTzu 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.
ConfuciusGentlemen cherish worth; the vulgar cherish dirt. Gentlemen trust in justice; the vulgar trust in favor.
ConfuciusIf a man has no humaneness what can his propriety be like? If a man has no humaneness what can his happiness be like?
ConfuciusLet our reason, and not our senses, be the rule of our conduct; for reason will teach us to think wisely, to speak prudently, and to behave worthily.
ConfuciusThe way of the superior person is threefold; virtuous, they are free from anxieties; wise they are free from perplexities; and bold they are free from fear.
ConfuciusIf there were an honorable way to get rich, I’d do it, even if it meant being a stooge standing around with a whip. But there isn’t an honorable way, so I just do what I like.
ConfuciusWithout goodness a man cannot endure adversity for long, nor can he enjoy prosperity for long. The good man is naturally at ease with goodness. The wise man cultivates goodness for its advantage.
Confucius