Quotes By Confucius

It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.

Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

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.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.

The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

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

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

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.

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

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

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

If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

The cautious seldom err.

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

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

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.

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

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

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

Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.

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