Quotes from Confucius

To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.

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

A man may not transgress the bounds of major morals, but may make errors in minor morals.

If I cannot get men who steer a middle course to associate with, I would far rather have the impetuous and hasty. For the impetuous at any rate assert themselves.

A superior man is one who is free from fear and anxieties

The proper man understands equity, the small man profits.

That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate enough to be spared.

The Path is not far from man. When men try to pursue a course, which is far from the common indications of consciousness, this course cannot be considered The Path.

Not knowing life, how can we know death? Why talk of spirits when you do not understand men?

The superior man limits his achievements.

A good man does not make a warrior, just as good steel does not go for nails.

While you are not able to serve men, how can you serve spirits of the dead...While you do not know life, how can you know about death

The good man does not grieve that other people do not recognize his merits. His only anxiety is lest he should fail to recognize theirs.

The Master said, "The gentleman understands what is right, whereas the petty man understands profit." (Analects 4.16)

The superior man is easy to serve, but difficult to please ... The inferior man is difficult to serve, but easy to please.

The demands that a great man makes are on himself; those of a petty man are upon others.

The great mountain must collapse, the mighty beam must break and the wise man wither like a plant.

A good man will certainly also possess courage; but a brave man is not necessarily good.

To rein a kingdom efficiently it is necessary, before all, to put into good order the family. It's impossible for a man who doesn't know how to lead his own family to know how to lead a country.

The superior man accords with the course of the Mean. Though he may be all unknown, unregarded by the world, he feels no regret - It is only the sage who is able for this.

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

Man who eat many prunes get good run for money.

If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening without regret.

A father's and a mother's age must be borne in mind; with joy on the one hand, fear on the other.