Confucius

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

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

The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.

I want you to be everything that's you deep at the center of your being.

Can there be a love which does not make demands on its object?

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

To love a thing means wanting it to live.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

You cannot open a book without learning something.

As long as I have rice to eat and pure water to drink I can find joy within.

If you do not change the direction in which you are going you will end up where you are headed.

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

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

Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses

Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly.

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

Love is like a spice. It can sweeten your life - however it can spoil it too.

He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.

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

The object of the superior man is truth.

A superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.

There was a man from Sung who pulled at his rice plants because he was worried about their failure to grow.

What the superior person seeks is in themselves. What the mean person seeks is in others.

When you have faults do not fear to abandon them.

I saw some piglets suckling their dead mother. After a short while they shuddered and went away. They had sensed that she could no longer see them and that she wasn't like them any more. What they loved in their mother wasn't her body but whatever it was that made her body live.

Every truth has four corners: as a teacher I give you one corner and it is for you to find the other three.

People with virtue must speak out, People who speak are not all virtuous.

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.

The superior man will watch over himself when he is alone. He examines his heart that there may be nothing wrong there and that he may have no cause of dissatisfaction with himself.

Those who know the truth are not equal to those who love it.

When anger rises think of the consequences.

Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

All people are the same only their habits change.

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability, he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.

Never use a cannon to kill a fly.

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

If many years were added to my life I would give fifty to the study of the Book of Changes and might thereby manage to avoid great mistakes.

It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.

Seek not every quality in one individual.

Humans are basically good, but easily corrupted by poor leadership.

I have yet to meet a man as fond of high moral conduct as he is of outward appearances.

Success depends upon previous preparation and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.

The superior man understands what is right, the inferior man understands what will sell.

Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude

Worry not that no one knows of you, seek to be worth knowing.

If you would one day renovate yourself, do so from day to day.

Words are the voice of the heart

Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that separate them.

The man of upright life is obeyed before he speaks.

It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family.

By nature men are nearly alike, by practice they get to be wide apart.

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

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

If you know to recognize that you know, If you don't know to realize that you don't know: That is knowledge.

What you do not wish upon yourself extend not to others.

A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake.

Faithfulness and sincerity are the highest things.

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

Don't complain about the snow on your neighbor's roof when your own doorstep is unclean.

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

Go before the people with your example and be laborious in their affairs.

Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue.

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

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.

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

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

Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.

To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.

A man who does not plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door.

To lead an uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.

A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?

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

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.

May you be born in an important time.

A fool despises good counsel but a wise man takes it to heart.

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

To know is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge.

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".

Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!

He does not preach what he practices till he has practiced what he preaches.

The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults and everyone sees them, they change and everyone looks up to them.

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.

Study the past if you would divine the future.

The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from passing over your head, but you can prevent them from making nests in your hair.

He who cannot describe the problem will never find the solution to that problem.

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

The parents age must be remembered both for joy and anxiety.

Heaven means to be one with God.

Think no vice so small that you may commit it, and no virtue so small that you may over look it.

The man of wisdom has no perplexity, the man of humanity has no worry, the man of courage has no fear.

The cautious seldom err.

If you lead the people with correctness who will dare not be correct?

To know that you know and to know that you don't know - that is the real wisdom.

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

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.

We should feel sorrow but not sink under its oppression.

Without recognizing the ordinances of Heaven it is impossible to be a superior man.

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart

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.

It is better to play than do nothing.

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

If I am walking with two other men, each of them I 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.

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.

It is better to live in peace than in bitterness and strife.

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

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest, success comes only later.

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.

Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, be worthy of being known.

Mankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.

Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.

Those who are firm, enduring, simple and unpretentious are the nearest to virtue.

Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in.

Virtue is the strong stem of man's nature and music is the blossoming of virtue.

Do not worry about holding high position, worry rather about playing your proper role.

He who wished to secure the good of others has already secured his own.

With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink and my bent arm for a pillow - I have still joy in the midst of all these things.

When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.

If you look into your own heart and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?

The proper man understands equity, the small man profits.

Not to alter one's faults is to be faulty indeed.

The essence of knowledge is having it to apply it, not having it to confess your ignorance.

To be wrong is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

Without feelings of respect what is there to distinguish men from beasts?

Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old and you may become a teacher of others.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First by reflection which is noblest, Second by imitation which is easiest, and third by experience which is the bitterest.

Silence is a friend who will never betray.

Chi Wen Tzu always thought three times before taking action. Twice would have been quite enough.

Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

Ignorance is the night of the mind, a night without moon or star.

Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.

When prosperity comes do not use all of it.

To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.

When music and courtesy are better understood and appreciated, there will be no war.

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

Make fair agreements and stick to them.

What I hear I forget. What I see I remember. What I do I understand.

If a man take no thought about what is distant he will find sorrow near at hand.

It is only the wisest and the stupidest that cannot change.

Have no friends not equal to yourself.

The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.

Forget injuries, never forget kindness.

I do not want a friend who smiles when I smile, who weeps when I weep, for my shadow in the pool can do better than that.

Never seek illicit wealth.

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

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

It is man that makes truth great. not truth that makes man great.

I have never seen a man as fond of virtue as of women.

I investigate things to complete my knowledge, my complete knowledge makes my thoughts sincere, my thoughts being sincere, my heart is pure.

Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.

We take great pains to persuade other that we are happy, than in to think so ourselves.

Never hesitate to ask a lesser person.

Without knowing the force of words it is impossible to know men.

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

See what a man does. Mark his motives. Examine in which things he rests. How can a man conceal his character? How can a man conceal his character?

He who will not economize will have to agonize.

A good man is not mine to see. Could I see a man possessed of constancy that would satisfy me.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

The real fault is to have faults and not to amend them.

When you meet someone better than yourself turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self.

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger, give if thou art asked for little, by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

I hear I know. I see I remember. I do I understand.

If names are not correct, language will not be in accordance with the truth of things.

He who has really set his mind on virtue will do no evil.

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

One atom of the plane where He functions would shatter the world.

Of neighborhoods benevolence is the most beautiful. How can the man be considered wise who, when he had the choice, does not settle in benevolence.

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.

He who requires much from himself and little from others will keep himself from being the object of resentment.

The main object of conciliation lies in reaching a solution to a case based upon morals and with a warm heart

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

To be in one's own heart in kindly sympathy with all things, this is the nature of righteousness

When we see persons of worth we should think of equaling them, when we see persons of a contrary character we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

Place where man laughs, sings, picks flowers, chases butterflies and pets birds, makes love with maidens and plays with children. Here he spontaneously reveals his nature, the base as well as the noble. Here also he buries his sorrows and difficulties and cherishes his ideals and hopes. It is in the garden that men discover themselves. Indeed, one discovers not only his real self but also his ideal self. He returns to his youth. Inevitably the garden is made the scene of man's merriment escapades, romantic abandonment, spiritual awakening or the perfection of his finer self.

Always and in everything let there be reverence.

When you see a good man think of emulating him, when you see a bad man examine your own heart.

Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.

Do not take liberties with the gods or weary them.

He who kisses girl on hillside is not level.

If language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant; if what is said is not what is meant, then what must be done remains undone; if this remains undone morals and art will deteriorate, if justice goes astray the people will stand about in helpless confusion. Hence there must be no arbitrariness in what is said. This matters above everything.

The superior man is distressed by his want of ability

To go too far is as bad as to fall short.

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

Straightforwardness without the rules of propriety becomes rudeness.

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.

It is the law of nature that woman should be held under the dominance of man.

When you know a thing to hold that you know it and when you do not know a thing to allow that you do not know it: this is knowledge

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.

The superior man is slow in his words and earnest in his conduct.

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

Between friends frequent reproofs make the friendship distant.

To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue. They are gravity generosity of soul sincerity earnestness and kindness.

I am not concerned that I have no place, I am concerned how I may fit myself for one; I am not concerned that I am not known, I seek to be worthy to be known

Gravity is only the bark of wisdom's tree, but it preserves it.

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

When internal examination discovers nothing wrong what is there to be anxious about what is there to fear?

Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.

When nature exceeds culture we have the rustic. When culture exceeds nature then we the pedant.

The mirror reflects all objects without being sullied.

To be fond of learning is near to wisdom, to practice with vigor is near to benevolence, and to be conscious of shame is near to fortitude.

The superior man thinks always of virtue, the common man thinks of comfort.

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

Study without reflection is a waste of time, reflection without study is dangerous

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.

The superior man is firm in the right way and not merely firm.

You hear and you forget, you see and you remember, you do and you understand

When you see a worthy person endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person then examine your inner self.

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.

I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me, I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

Before you embark on a journey of revenge dig two graves.

The man of noble mind seeks to achieve the good in others and not their evil. The little-minded man is the reverse of this.

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

Virtue is not solitary, it is bound to have neighbors

No matter where you go - there you are.

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

Five things constitute perfect virtue: gravity, magnanimity, earnestness, sincerity, kindness.