Confucius (551–479 BCE) was a Chinese philosopher and politician of the Spring and Autumn period who is traditionally considered the paragon of Chinese sages.
Here is a selection of some of Confucius most famous quotes. Confucius quotes, golden rule. Inspirational and motivational sayings on life, aging, happiness and love from Confucius. Quotes on education, success, work and wisdom by Confucius.
Confucius Quotes and Sayings
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
The Man who says he can, and the man who says he can not.. Are both correct.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
A man is great not because he hasn't failed; a man is great because failure hasn't stopped him.
If what one has to say is not better than silence, then one should keep silent.
He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.
The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.
Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
Study the past if you would define the future.
To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace.
The funniest people are the saddest ones.
Don't do unto others what you don't want done unto you.
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children.
To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.
In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
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| Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.―Confucius |
Respect yourself and others will respect you.
A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top.
The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.
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.
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.
When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
To see what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.
Silence is a true friend who never betrays.
The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name.
Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.
The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.
You cannot open a book without learning something.
When a wise man points at the moon, the imbecile examines the finger.
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
Time flows away like the water in the river.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Don't complain about the snow on your neighbor's roof when your own doorstep is unclean.
The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat.
It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.
Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.
We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.
Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more.
Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life.
A true gentleman is one who has set his heart upon the Way. A fellow who is ashamed merely of shabby clothing or modest meals is not even worth conversing with.
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.
Consideration for others is the basis of a good life, a good society.
The way out is through the door. Why is it that no one will use this method?
Have no friends not equal to yourself.
It is not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs.
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
The man of wisdom is never of two minds; the man of benevolence never worries; the man of courage is never afraid.
The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
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| When a wise man points at the moon, the imbecile examines the finger.―Confucius |
He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.
It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.
An orchid in a deep forest sends out its fragrance even if no one is around to appreciate it.
Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon or star.
The noble-minded are calm and steady. Little people are forever fussing and fretting.
Those who know the truth are not equal to those who love it.
You will never know how sharp a sword is unless it's drawn from its sheath.
The nobler sort of man emphasizes the good qualities in others, and does not accentuate the bad. The inferior does.
By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
The Master said; If your conduct is determined solely by considerations of profit you will arouse great resentment.
Behind every smile there's teeth.
Learn as if you were not reaching your goal and as though you were scared of missing it.
The Master said; A true teacher is one who, keeping the past alive, is also able to understand the present.
When the wind blows, the grass bends.
He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.
The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.
He who knows and knows that he knows, is a wise man - follow him. He who knows not and knows not that he knows not, he is a fool - shun him.
If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.
Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.
A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace.
Settle one difficulty, and you keep a hundred away.
Worry not that no one knows you; seek to be worth knowing.
Fix your mind on truth, hold firm to virtue, rely on loving kindness, and find your recreation in the Arts.
The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.
The green reed which bends in the wind is stronger than the mighty oak which breaks in a storm.
The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nations. When there is order in the nations, there will peace in the world.
If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
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