Confucius Quotes

A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon others.

The gentleman prefers to be slow in word but diligent in action.

The superior person is calm and composed; the lesser person is continuously worried and distressed.

Only after Winter comes do we know that the pine and the cypress are the last to fade.

You can successfully force people to follow a certain course, but you cannot force them to understand it.

Sincerity is the way of heaven.

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

A man should demand much from himself, but little from others. When you meet a man of worth, think how you may attain to his excellence. When you meet an unworthy one, then look within and examine yourself.

Not to converse with a man worthy of conversation is to waste the man. To converse with a man not worthy of conversation is to waste words. The wise waste neither men nor words.

The perfecting of one's self is the fundamental base of all progress and all moral development.

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.

If you don't want to do something,don't impose on others

The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.

A man is great not because he hasn't failed; a man is great because failure hasn't stopped him.

The mirror reflects all objects without being sullied

You will never know how sharp a sword is unless it's drawn from its sheath

You can cheat an honest man but not make a fool out of him.

he who will not economize will agonize

When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.

How should I know anything about another world when I know so little of this?

He with whom neither slander that gradually soaks into the mind, nor statements that startle like a wound in the flesh, are successful may be called intelligent indeed.

A workman who wants to do his work well must first prepare his tools.

Wisdom is rooted in watching with affection the way people grow.

A lack of patience in trifling matters might lead to the disruption of great project.

Among the appliances to transform the people, sound and appearances are but trivial influences.

A man may not transgress the bounds of major morals, but may make errors in minor morals.

Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you.

The shortest distance between any two points on a golf course is a straight line that passes directly through the center of a very large tree.

See a person's means ... Observe his motives. Examine that in which he rests. How can a person conceal his character?

Be faithful and true of word; let thy walk be plain and lowly: thou wilt get on, though in savage land. If thy words be not faithful and true, thy walk plain and lowly, wilt thou get on, though in thine own home? Standing, see these words ranged before thee; driving, see them written upon the yoke. Then thou wilt get on.

Never hesitate to ask a lesser person.

Many seek happiness higher than men; others beneath him. But happiness is the same height as man.

The superior man, extensively studying all learning, and keeping himself under the restraint of the rules of propriety, may thus likewise not overstep what is right.

I have not seen one who loves virtue as he loves beauty.

There is no body but eats and drinks. But they are few who can distinguish flavors.

By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.

Heaven sends down its good and evil symbols and wise men act accordingly.

Here is an example of Confucius sayings: "It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." In a few words, Confucius teaches us about patience, perseverance, discipline, and hard work. But if you probe further, you will see more layers. Confucius' philosophies have significantly influenced spiritual and social thought. His views bear insight and depth of wisdom. You can apply his teachings in every sphere of life. Confucius' profound teachings are based on humanism.

Not to alter one's faults is to be faulty indeed.

If you would govern a state of a thousand chariots (a small-to-middle-size state), you must pay strict attention to business, be true to your word, be economical in expenditure and love the people.

When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self.

The great man is sparing in words but prodigal in deeds.

place where man laughs, sings, picks flowers, chases butterflies and pets birds, makes love with maidens, and plays with children. Here he spontaneously reveals his nature, the base as well as the noble. Here also he buries his sorrows and difficulties and cherishes his ideals and hopes. It is in the garden that men discover themselves. Indeed one discovers not only his real self but also his ideal self?he returns to his youth. Inevitably the garden is made the scene of man's merriment, escapades, romantic abandonment, spiritual awakening or the perfection of his finer self.

Not too isolated, not too many relationships, the middle, that's wisdom.

Reviewing the day's lessons. Isn't it joyful? Friends come from far. Isn't it delightful? One has never been angry at other's misunderstanding. Isn't he a respectable man?

Even in killing men, observe the rules of propriety.

The strongest memory is not as strong as the weakest ink.

It's only in winter that the pine and cypress are known to be evergreens.