Quotes from Confucius

The silent treasuring up of knowledge; learning without satiety; and instructing others without being wearied: which one of these things belongs to me?

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

Thought, unassisted by learning, is dangerous.

Learning without thought is labor lost thought without learning is perilous.

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

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

The funniest people are the saddest once

The funniest people are the saddest ones

Behind every smile there's teeth.

Do not worry if others do not understand you. Instead worry if you do not understand others.

Signs and symbols rule the world, not words nor laws.

Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

There is only one thing in life which never changes, and it is change.

Is there any one maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one's whole life? Surely the maxim of loving kindness is such: Do not unto others what you would not they should do unto you.

If there were one word that could act as a standard of conduct for one's entire life, perhaps it would be 'thoughtfulness.

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.

We can know a person by observing his behaviour, understanding the reasons for his actions and ascertaining his intentions. If we do this, how can we not know him?

If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's OK. But you've got to shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot.

If you devote your life to seeking revenge, first dig two graves.

You do not understand even life. How can you understand death?

There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.

Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.