Quotes By Confucius

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

The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.

To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

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

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

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

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

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

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?

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.

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

There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

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.

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

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

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

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

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

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.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.