Quotes from Confucius

In the Book of Poetry there are three hundred poems, but the meaning of all of them may be put in a single sentence: Have no debasing thoughts.

If your desire is for good, the people will be good.

The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

Look for an occupation that you like, and you will not need to labor for a single day in your life.

Our headstrong passions shut the door of our souls against God.

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

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.

Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly

The demands that good people make are upon themselves; Those that bad people make are upon others.

Wouldst thou know if a people be well governed, or if its laws be good or bad, examine the music it practices.

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

If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.

The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived.

Every house guest brings you happiness. Some when they arrive, and some when they are leaving

To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content.

Happiness is not at the top of the mountain, but in how to climb.

Knowing something is not as good as liking it. Liking something is not as good as rejoicing in it.

Coarse rice to eat, water to drink, my bended arm for a pillow - therein is happiness. Wealth and rank attained through immoral means are nothing but drifting clouds.

We take greater pains to persuade others that we are happy than in endeavoring to think so ourselves

The way of a superior man is threefold: Virtuous he is free from anxieties wise he is free from perplexities bold he is free from fear.

A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders.

You can cheat an honest man but not make a fool out of him.

If either wealth or poverty are come by honesty, there is no shame.

The Master said, "The gentleman does not serve as a vessel."(Analects 2.12)