Quotes from Confucius

The man of noble mind seeks to achieve the good in others and not their evil. The little-minded man is the reverse of this.

The commander of the forces of a large State may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him.

He that in his studies wholly applies himself to labor and exercise, and neglects meditation, loses his time; and he that only applies himself to meditation, and neglects labor and exercise, only wanders and loses himself.

We should not be too familiar with the lower orders or with women.

Woman is the masterpiece.

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

And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

If what one has to say is not better than silence, then one should keep silent.

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.

To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace.

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order; we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.

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

Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.

Don't do unto others what you don't want done unto you.

If your plan is for one year plant rice. If your plan is for ten years plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years educate children.

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

A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top.

Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.

To see what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.

The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name.

When a wise man points at the moon the imbecile examines the finger.

Time flows away like the water in the river.

Don't complain about the snow on your neighbor's roof when your own doorstep is unclean.