Quotes from Confucius

The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it.

The perfecting of one's self is the fundamental base of all progress and all moral development.

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

The superior man cannot be known in little matters, but he may be entrusted with great concerns. The small man may not be entrusted with great concerns, but he may be known in little matters.

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

The wheel of fortune turns round incessantly, and who can say to himself, I shall to-day be uppermost.

There are three things to beware of through life: when a man is young, let him beware of his appetites; when he is middle-aged, of his passions; and when old, of covetousness, especially.

There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth...lust. When he is strong...quarrelsomeness. When he is old...covetousness.

They must change who would be constant in happiness and wisdom.

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

Things that are done, it is needless to speak about...things that are past, it is needless to blame.

To be fond of learning is to be near to knowledge. To practice with vigor is to be near to magnanimity. To possess the feeling of shame is to be near to energy. He who knows these three things, knows how to cultivate his own character.

To govern is to correct. If you set an example by being correct, who would dare remain incorrect?

To know that one knows what one knows, and to know that one doesn't know what one doesn't know, there lies true wisdom.

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

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

Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.

Wealth and rank are what people desire, but unless they be obtained in the right way they may not be possessed.

What the great learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.

When a man's knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again.

You hear not with the ears, but with the mind; not with the mind, but with your soul.

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.

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

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