Quotes from Confucius

Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.

Study as though you cannot catch up to it, and as though you fear you are going to lose it.

The way of the superior person is threefold; virtuous, they are free from anxieties; wise they are free from perplexities; and bold they are free from fear.

Virtue is never left to stand alone. He who has it will have neighbors.

Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.

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

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

Tsze-Kung asked, Is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life? The Master said, Is not Reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

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

Consideration for others is the basic of a good life, a good society.

If we don't know life, how can we know death?

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.

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

Be loyal and trustworthy. Do not befriend anyone who is lower than yourself in this regard. When making a mistake, do not be afraid to correct it.

Everyone eats and drinks; yet only few appreciate the taste of food.

The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live.

The requisites of government are that there be sufficiency of food, sufficiency of military equipment, and the confidence of the people in their ruler.

Eat at your own as you would the table of a king.

A knight whose heart is set upon the Way, but who is ashamed of wearing shabby clothes and eating coarse food, is not worth calling into counsel.

He who needs only coarse food, water and drink, and as pillow his folded arms will find happiness without further search.

The more you know yourself, the more you forgive yourself.

The more people know, the more they forgive.

I could see peace instead of this.