Confucius Quotes

Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!

When a wise man points at the moon the imbecile examines the finger.

An inconvenience is an unrecognized opportunity.

A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses. If you are generous, you will gain everything.

To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace.

The scholar does not consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but loyalty and good faith.

Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.

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

Look closely into his aims, observe the means by which he pursues them, discover what brings him content - and can the man's real worth remain hidden from you?

Although your father and mother are dead, if you propose to yourself any good work, only reflect how it will make their names illustrious, and your purpose will be fixed.

All men are born good.

In language clarity is everything.

Respect the gods, but have as little to do with them as possible.

Some may study side by side, and yet be asunder when they come to the logic of things.

The one who was born a genius can't win against the one who tries, and the one who tries can't win against the one who enjoys.

If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's OK. But you've got to shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot.

It is better not to proceed at all than to proceed without purpose.

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.

To know your faults and be able to change is the greatest virtue.

Exemplary people concern themselves with virtue, small people concern themselves with territory. The ruling class thinks of punishment, the lower classes hope for benevolence.

If I give a student one-fourth of what he should know, I expect him to get the other three-fourths himself, otherwise I do not want him as a student.

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.

Man who eat many prunes get good run for money.

One who can move mountains start with the little stones.

If you devote your life to seeking revenge, first dig two graves.

Never hesitate to ask a lesser person.

When wealth is centralized, the people are dispersed. When wealth is distributed, the people are brought together.

I live in a very small house, but my windows look out on a very large world.

An inch of time on the sundial is worth more than a foot of jade.

What is most needed for learning is a humble mind.

Man shoot at nothing, sure to hit it.

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

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

Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in men's clothes.

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

There is one single thread binding my way together...the way of the Master consists in doing one's best...that is all.

A good man is not mine to see. Could I see a man possessed of constancy, that would satisfy me.

Justice is like the north star, which is fixed, and all the rest revolve about it.

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.

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

The Master said, If out of the three hundred songs I had to take one phrase to cover all my teachings, I would say 'Let there be no evil in your thoughts.'

Settle one difficulty, and you keep a hundred away.

Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue.

Look for an occupation that you like, and you will not need to labor for a single day in your life.

Never overlook wallflower at dance; may be dandelion in grass.

If one is guided by profit in one's actions, one will incur much ill will.

Table your mistakes, learn from them, then move on.

Seek Not Every Quality In One Individual.

You do not understand even life. How can you understand death?

Benevolence is the characteristic element of humanity.