Confucius Quotes

The tongue must be heavy indeed, because so few people can hold it

A country of a thousand war-chariots cannot be administered unless the ruler attends strictly to business, punctually observes his promises, is economical in expenditure, loves the people, and uses the labor of the peasantry only at the proper times of year.

Sincerity becomes apparent. From being apparent, it becomes manifest. From being manifest, it becomes brilliant. Brilliant, it affects others. Affecting others, they are changed by it. Changed by it, they are transformed. It is only he who is possessed of the most complete sincerity that can exist under heaven, who can transform.

What you know, you know, what you don't know, you don't know. This is true wisdom.

A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.

Happiness does not consist in having what you want, but in wanting what you have

Excess weakens the spirits.

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

A picture is poem without words.

The only people who cannot change are the most wise and the most stupid.

The Master said, "A true teacher is one who, keeping the past alive, is also able to understand the present."

He who sling mud, lose ground.

The demands that good people make are upon themselves; Those that bad people make are upon others.

Rate the task above the prize; will not the mind be raised? Fight thine own faults, not the faults of others; will not evil be mended?

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.

The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a position of wealth and honor, he does what is proper to a position of wealth and honor. In a poor and low position, he does what is proper to a poor and low position.

A man of wisdom delights in water.

A good man does not make a warrior, just as good steel does not go for nails.

I know how the birds fly, how the fishes swim, how animals run. But there is the Dragon. I cannot tell how it mounts on the winds through the clouds and flies through heaven. Today I have seen the Dragon.

The vices come as passengers, visit us as guest and stay as masters.

A Nation's character is typified by its dancers.

The superior person is in harmony, but does not follow the crowd. The lesser person follows the crowd, but is not in harmony.

Future generation is the most important thing.

To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge. When you say something, say what you know. When you don't know something, say you don't know. That is knowledge.

In your promises cleave to what is right, And you will be able to fulfill your word.

Ah, music, sacred tongue of God! I hear thee calling and I come.

The Superior Man has nothing to compete for. But if he must compete, he does it in an archery match, wherein he ascends to his position, bowing in deference. Descending, he drinks the ritual cup.

The parents age must be remembered, both for joy and anxiety.

Be aroused by poetry; structure yourself with propriety, refine yourself with music.

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.

What the wise seek is in themselves

The commander of the forces of a large State may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him.

Behind every smile there's teeth.

A man of humanity is one who, in seeking to establish himself, finds a foothold for others and who, in desiring attaining himself, helps others to attain.

Rather than caring about whether or not you are known, strive to be worth knowing.

The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come.

Charity is that rational and constant affection which makes us sacrifice ourselves to the human race, as if we were united with it, so as to form one individual, partaking equally in its adversity and prosperity.

If one learns from others, but does not think, one will be bewildered. If, on the other hand, one thinks but does not learn from others, one will be in peril.

How great is the path proper to the Sage! Like overflowing water, it sends forth and nourishes all things, and rises up to the height of heaven. All-complete is its greatness! It embraces the three hundred rules of ceremony, and the three thousand rules of demeanor. It waits for the proper man, and then it is trodden. Hence it is said, 'Only by perfect virtue can the perfect path, in all its courses, be made a fact.'

Think no vice so small that you may commit it, and no virtue so small that you may over look it.

Love makes a spot beautiful: who chooses not to dwell in love, has he got wisdom?

Ask yourself constantly, "What is the right thing to do?" Behave toward everyone as if receiving a great guest.

When people are educated, the distinction between classes disappears.

Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

By the ruler's cultivation of his own character there is set up the example of the course which all should pursue.

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.

If there were one word that could act as a standard of conduct for one's entire life, perhaps it would be 'thoughtfulness.

Man who eat many prunes get good run for money.