Confucius Quotes

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

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

There is only one thing in life which never changes, and it is change.

The Gods cannot help those who do not seize opportunities.

The superior man loves his soul; the inferior man loves his property.

If you would one day renovate yourself, do so from day to day.

The Man who says he can, and the man who says he can not.. Are both correct

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.

When a man is guided by the principles of reciprocity and consciousness, he is not far from the moral law. Whatever you don't wish for yourself don't do unto others.

The Master was entirely free from four things: prejudice, foregone conclusions, obstinacy, and egoism.

A reasonable man adjusts himself to the world. An unreasonable man expects the world to adjust itself to him. Therefore all progress is made by unreasonable people.

If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.

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

Those who know the TRUTH are not equal to those who love it.

Let our reason, and not our senses, be the rule of our conduct; for reason will teach us to think wisely, to speak prudently, and to behave worthily.

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.

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.

An image is better than one thousand words

When you are ignorant about something, to know that you are ignorant about it - that is knowledge.

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

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

He who fails to prepare, prepares to fail

Man who want pretty nurse, must be patient.

A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders.

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

It is not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs.

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

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

Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly

Is there any one maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one's whole life? Surely the maxim of loving kindness is such: Do not unto others what you would not they should do unto you.

To know what is the right thing to do and not do it is the greatest cowardice.

Everyone eats and drinks; yet only few appreciate the taste of food.

Every journey starts with a single step.

Don't worry that other people don't know you; worry that you don't know other people.

Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon or star.

The wise man admires water, the kind man admires mountains. The wise man moves, the kind man rests. The wise man is happy, the kind man is firm.

By gaining the people, the kingdom is gained; by losing the people, the kingdom is lost.

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.

Silence is the true friend that never betrays.

When strict with oneself, one rarely fails.

There are three things to beware of through life: when a man is young, let him beware of his appetites; when he is middle-aged, of his passions; and when old, of covetousness, especially.

The man who loves his job never works a day in his life.

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

Men's natures are alike; it is their habits that separate them.

Every house guest brings you happiness. Some when they arrive, and some when they are leaving

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.

Do not answer the person whose questions are vile. Do not question a person whose answers are vile.

It is better to light one small candle of gratitude than to curse the darkness.

Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it. To see it a person only needs to imagine how it could be worse.