Confucius Quotes

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.

Confucius

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

Confucius

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.

Confucius

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

Confucius

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

Confucius

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

Confucius

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

Confucius

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

Confucius

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

Confucius

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

Confucius

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.

Confucius

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

Confucius

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

Confucius

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

Confucius

A youth, when at home, should be filial and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies.

Confucius

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.

Confucius

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

Confucius

Heaven means to be one with God.

Confucius

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

Confucius

To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.

Confucius

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

Confucius

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.

Confucius

The cautious seldom err.

Confucius

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

Confucius

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

Confucius

You cannot open a book without learning something.

Confucius

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

Confucius

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

Confucius

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.

Confucius

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

Confucius

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.

Confucius

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

Confucius

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

Confucius

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.

Confucius

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

Confucius

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.

Confucius

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

Confucius

The object of the superior man is truth.

Confucius

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

Confucius

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

Confucius

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

Confucius