Selected Quotes By Confucius
"We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression."
Confucius, Life
"Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men."
Confucius, Kindness
"Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom, Kindness, Courage
"A person who chases two rabbits catches neither."
Confucius, Wealth, Goals
"Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean."
Confucius, Life
"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."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom, Kindness
"To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness."
Confucius, Kindness
"Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?"
Confucius, Kindness
"What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others."
Confucius, Kindness
"There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is a reflection, which is the highest. The second is a limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom
"He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good."
Confucius, Arrogance
"No matter how busy you make think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom
"The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools."
Confucius, Work
"The object of the superior man is truth."
Confucius, Truth
"Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors."
Confucius, Friendship, Kindness
"When anger rises, think of the consequences."
Confucius, Anger and Fighting
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
Confucius, Work
"An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger."
Confucius, Government
"The journey with 1000 miles begins with one step."
Confucius, Goals
"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."
Confucius, Goals
"The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he cleaves to it. In seasons of danger, he cleaves to it."
Confucius, Life
"Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure."
Confucius, Planning
"Learn avidly. Question it repeatedly. Analyze it carefully. Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom
"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."
Confucius, Kindness
"The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom
"The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action."
Confucius, Life
"Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire."
Confucius, Goals
"We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one."
Confucius, Life
"Learn as if you were not reaching your goal and as though you were scared of missing it."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom
"The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort."
Confucius, Life
"Those who know the truth are not equal to those who love it."
Confucius, Truth
"He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom
"Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom
"Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself."
Confucius, Friendship
"Study the past if you would define the future."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom
"Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom
"The essence of knowledge is, having it, to use it."
Confucius, Intelligence/Wisdom
"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps."
Confucius, Goals
"A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words."
Confucius, Life
"Think of tomorrow, the past can’t be mended."
Confucius, Goals
"Worry not that no one knows you; seek to be worth knowing."
Confucius, Goals, Power
"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."
Confucius, Power
"He who acts with a constant view to his own advantage will be much murmured against."
Confucius, Wealth
"To see the right and not to do it is cowardice."
Confucius, Courage
"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."
Confucius, Goals
"Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without."
Confucius, Kindness
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Confucius, Goals
"Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude."
Confucius, Kindness
"If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room."