Quotes from Confucius

There are some with whom we may study in common, but we shall find them unable to go along with us to principles. Perhaps we may go on with them to principles, but we shall find them unable to get established in those along with us. Or if we may get so established along with them, we shall find them unable to weigh occurring events along with us.

Think of tomorrow, the past can't be mended.

Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established

Men do not stumble over mountains, but over molehills.

No matter how busy you make think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance

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

Walking among three people, I find my teacher among them. I choose that which is good in them and follow it, and that which is bad and change it.

A man should demand much from himself, but little from others. When you meet a man of worth, think how you may attain to his excellence. When you meet an unworthy one, then look within and examine yourself.

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified, their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their States were rightly governed. Their States being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was made tranquil and happy.

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

Nothing is more visible than things hidden; Nothing is more manifest than things minute; Therefore, the superior man should be aware of his aloneness

Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

In his dealings with the world, the gentleman is not invariably for or against anything. He is on the side of what is moral.

Learn advidly. Question it repeatedly. Analyze it carefully. Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently.

Don't grieve when people fail to recognize your ability. Grieve for your lack of ability instead.

At fifteen my mind was directed to study, and at thirty I knew where to stand.

You are what you think.

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.

How can you love people without encouraging them? And how can you be loyal to people without educating them.

If a craftsman wants to do good work, he must first sharpen his tools.

The Master said, "What a worthy man was Yan Hui! Living in a narrow alley, subsisting upon meager bits of rice and water—other people could not have borne such hardship, and yet it never spoiled Hui's joy. What a worthy man was Hui!" (Analects 6.11)

The Master said of Gong Yechang, "He is marriageable. Although he was once imprisoned and branded as a criminal, he was in fact innocent of any crime." The Master gave him his daughter in marriage. (Analects 5.1)