Confucius Quotes
One who will study for three years. Without thought of reward. Would be hard indeed to find.
Wouldst thou know if a people be well governed, or if its laws be good or bad, examine the music it practices.
There may be men who act without understanding why. I do not. To listen much, pick out the good and follow it; to see much and ponder it: this comes next to understanding.
The man of noble mind seeks to achieve the good in others and not their evil. The little-minded man is the reverse of this.
The master said, 'Quietly to store up knowledge in my mind, to learn without flagging, to teach without growing weary, these present me with no difficulties.'
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.
Even if I could, I would not exahnge their virtues for my own. And that is why they are intent on learning from me.
The people may be put into the way they should go, though they may not be put into the way of understanding it.
If I cannot get men who steer a middle course to associate with, I would far rather have the impetuous and hasty. For the impetuous at any rate assert themselves.
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?
While the gentleman cherishes benign rule, the small man cherishes his native land. While the gentleman cherishes a respect for the law, the small man cherishes generous treatment.
It is goodness that gives to a neighborhood its beauty. One who is free to choose, yet does not prefer to dwell among the good - how can he be accorded the name of wise?
If one leads them with administrative measures and uses punishments to make them conform, the people will be evasive, but if one leads them with virtue, they will come up to expectations.
He who is really good can never be unhappy. He who is really wise can never be perplexed. He who is really brave is never afraid.
Gentlemen cherish worth; the vulgar cherish dirt. Gentlemen trust in justice; the vulgar trust in favor.
If you did not do so for the sake of riches,You must have done so for the sake of novelty.
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.
The Master said, "A true teacher is one who, keeping the past alive, is also able to understand the present."
The Path is not far from man. When men try to pursue a course, which is far from the common indications of consciousness, this course cannot be considered The Path.
Not knowing life, how can we know death? Why talk of spirits when you do not understand men?
those who understands is not better than those who appreciates, those who appreciates is not better than those who enjoys.
How transcendent is the virtue of the middle conduct! Rare for a long time has been its practice among the people.
Who expects to be able to go out of a house except by the door? How is it then that no one follows this Way of ours?
Does Heaven ever speak? The four seasons come and go, and all creatures thrive and grow. Does Heaven ever speak!
The Master said, I set my heart on the Way, base myself on virtue, lean upon benevolence for support and take my recreation in the arts.
By the ruler's cultivation of his own character there is set up the example of the course which all should pursue.
Do not unto another that you would hot have him do unto you. Thou needest this law alone. It is the foundation of all the rest.
He who needs only coarse food, water and drink, and as pillow his folded arms will find happiness without further search.
A father's and a mother's age must be borne in mind; with joy on the one hand, fear on the other.
At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of right.
