Quotes By Confucius

The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.

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.

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.

If we don't know life, how can we know death?

The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.

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

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.

The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

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.

I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me;I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.

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

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

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.

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?

The object of the superior man is truth.

Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.

When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

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

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