Confucius Quotes

Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone.

If what one has to say is not better than silence, then one should keep silent.

Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.

I do not enlighten those who are not eager to learn, nor arouse those who are not anxious to give an explanation themselves. If I have presented one corner of the square and they cannot come back to me with the other three, I should not go over the points again.

The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived.

When you serve your mother and father it is okay to try to correct them once in a while. But if you see that they are not going to listen to you, keep your respect for them and don't distance yourself from them. Work without complaining.

The superior man is firm in the right way and not merely firm.

Three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

He who cannot describe the problem will never find the solution to that problem.

That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate enough to be spared.

With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bent arm for a pillow - I have still joy in the midst of all these things.

The gods should certainly be revered, but kept at a distance... . The way is not beyond man; he who creates a way outside of man cannot make it a true way. A good man is content with changing man, and that is enough for him.

Table your mistakes, learn from them, then move on.

The injury of prodigality leads to this, that he who will not economize will have to agonize.

The contrived language and the flattering attitude rarely come with the virtue.

A man who does not forget an agreement is resolved and honorable man.

Lead the people with administrative injunctions and put them in their place with penal law, and they will avoid punishments but will be without a sense of shame. Lead them with excellence and put them in their place through roles and ritual practices, and in addition to developing a sense of shame, they will order themselves harmoniously

I daily examine myself on three points: In planning for others, have I failed in conscientiousness? In intercourse with friends, have I been insincere? And have I failed to practice what I have been taught?

Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.

The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved.

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

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.

Make fair agreements and stick to them

Chi Wen Tzu always thought three times before taking action. Twice would have been quite enough.

The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear.

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Fix your mind on truth, hold firm to virtue, rely on loving kindness, and find your recreation in the Arts.

As the water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it, so a wise man adapts himself to circumstances.

I do not want a friend who smiles when I smile, who weeps when I weep; for my shadow in the pool can do better than that.

Be strict with yourself but least reproachful of others and complaint is kept afar.

Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.

If you lead the people with correctness, who will dare not be correct?

Be loyal and trustworthy. Do not befriend anyone who is lower than yourself in this regard.

There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life -reciprocity.

The cautious seldom err.

A man should practice what he preaches, but a man should also preach what he practices.

If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength; if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if in his intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere - although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.

To know everything is to know nothing, but to know nothing is to know everything.

The gentleman calls attention to the good points in others; he does not call attention to their defects. The small man does just the reverse of this.

When you see a good man, try to emulate his example, and when you see a bad man, search yourself for his faults.

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.

Be loyal to yourself, charitable to neighbours, nothing more.

He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger... Men of superior mind busy themselves first getting at the root of things; when they succeed, the right course is open to them.

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

A superior man is one who is free from fear and anxieties

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

The path may not be left for an instant. If it could be left, it would not be the path.