ᐅ199+ Confucius Quotes and Sayings to Guide You in Life

“A man is great not because he hasn’t failed; a man is great because failure

"A man is great not because he hasn't failed; a man is great because failure hasn't stopped him." ~ Confucius

“A great man is hard on himself; a small man is hard on others.”

"A great man is hard on himself; a small man is hard on others." ~ Confucius

“Happiness is not at the top of the mountain, but in how to climb.”

"Happiness is not at the top of the mountain, but in how to climb." ~ Confucius

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

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

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

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

“Keep it simple and focus on what matters. Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed.”

"Keep it simple and focus on what matters. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed." ~ Confucius

“In old days men studied for the sake of self-improvement; nowadays

"In old days men studied for the sake of self-improvement; nowadays men study in order to impress other people." ~ Confucius

“Knowledge without practice is useless. Practice without knowledge is dangerous.

"Knowledge without practice is useless. Practice without knowledge is dangerous." ~ Confucius

“Every house guest brings you happiness. Some when they arrive, and

"Every house guest brings you happiness. Some when they arrive, and some when they are leaving" ~ Confucius

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

"Do not worry if others do not understand you. Instead worry if you do not understand others." ~ Confucius

“Cultivate the root; the leaves and branches will take care of themselves.”

"Cultivate the root; the leaves and branches will take care of themselves." ~ Confucius

“Tell people – and they may forget…

"Tell people - and they may forget... show them - they may remember... but involve them and they will understand." ~ Confucius

“Three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”

"Three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." ~ Confucius

“I was complaining that I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet.”

"I was complaining that I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet." ~ Confucius

“The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man without trials.” ~

"The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man without trials." ~ Confucius

“A wise man has dignity without pride; a fool has pride without dignity.”

"A wise man has dignity without pride; a fool has pride without dignity." ~ Confucius

“Remember even when alone, that the divine is everywhere.”

"Remember even when alone, that the divine is everywhere." ~ Confucius

“He who learns but does not think, is lost. He who thinks but does

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

“As the water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it, so a wise man

"As the water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it, so a wise man adapts himself to circumstances." ~ Confucius

“Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.”

"Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others." ~ Confucius

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does

"The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life." ~ Confucius

“To know what is the right thing to do and not do it is the greatest

"To know what is the right thing to do and not do it is the greatest cowardice." ~ Confucius

“An orchid in a deep forest sends out its fragrance even if

"An orchid in a deep forest sends out its fragrance even if no one is around to appreciate it." ~ Confucius

“Of course you want to be rich and famous. It’s natural. Wealth and fame

"Of course you want to be rich and famous. It's natural. Wealth and fame are what every man desires. The question is: What are you willing to trade for it?" ~ Confucius

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest;

"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

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." ~ Confucius

“If you chase two rabbits,

"If you chase two rabbits, you catch none." ~ Confucius

“To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.”

"To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it." ~ Confucius

“Do not wish for quick results, nor look for small advantages. If you seek

"Do not wish for quick results, nor look for small advantages. If you seek quick results, you will not reach the ultimate goal. If you are led astray by small advantages, you will never accomplish great things." ~ Confucius

“It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme

"It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get." ~ Confucius

“The superior person is calm and composed; the lesser person is continuously worried

"The superior person is calm and composed; the lesser person is continuously worried and distressed." ~ Confucius

“Happiness does not consist in having what you want, but in wanting what you have”

"Happiness does not consist in having what you want, but in wanting what you have" ~ Confucius

“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.

"Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace." ~ Confucius

“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”

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

“If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for

"If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else." ~ Confucius

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

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

“We are so busy doing the urgent that we don’t have time to do the important.”

"We are so busy doing the urgent that we don't have time to do the important." ~ Confucius

“Don’t curse the darkness, light a candle.”

"Don't curse the darkness, light a candle." ~ Confucius

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

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

“The archer who misses his mark does not blame the target.

"The archer who misses his mark does not blame the target. He stops, corrects himself and shoots again." ~ Confucius

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

"What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others." ~ Confucius

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust

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

“Expect much from yourself and little from others and you will

"Expect much from yourself and little from others and you will avoid incurring resentments" ~ Confucius

"Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves." ~ Confucius

“He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.”

"He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions." ~ Confucius

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential.

"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

“When anger rises, think of the consequences

"When anger rises, think of the consequences." ~ Confucius

“You can cheat an honest man but not make a fool out of him.”

"You can cheat an honest man but not make a fool out of him." ~ Confucius

“There are 1,000 lessons in defeat. But only one in victory.”

"There are 1,000 lessons in defeat. But only one in victory." ~ Confucius

“The virtuous man is driven by responsibility, the non-virtuous man is

"The virtuous man is driven by responsibility, the non-virtuous man is driven by profit." ~ Confucius

“The Man who says he can, and the man who says he can not..

"The Man who says he can, and the man who says he can not.. Are both correct" ~ Confucius

“A reasonable man adjusts himself to the world. An unreasonable

"A reasonable man adjusts himself to the world. An unreasonable man expects the world to adjust itself to him. Therefore all progress is made by unreasonable people." ~ Confucius

“Those who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which they themselves must pass.”

"Those who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which they themselves must pass." ~ Confucius

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

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

“Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.”

"Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude." ~ Confucius

“The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name.”

"The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name." ~ Confucius

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

"A fool despises good counsel, but a wise man takes it to heart." ~ Confucius

“Be in harmony, yet be different.”

"Be in harmony, yet be different." ~ Confucius

“All the darkness in the world can’t put out the light of one candle.”

"All the darkness in the world can't put out the light of one candle." ~ Confucius

“The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room,

"The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat." ~ Confucius

“When I am with others, they are my teachers. I can select their good points

"When I am with others, they are my teachers. I can select their good points and follow them, and select their bad points and avoid them." ~ Confucius

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~ Confucius

“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.”

"Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues." ~ Confucius

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

"A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions." ~ Confucius

“When words lose their meaning, people lose their liberty.”

"When words lose their meaning, people lose their liberty." ~ Confucius

“To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the

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

“If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.”

"If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake." ~ Confucius

“An inconvenience is an unrecognized opportunity.”

"An inconvenience is an unrecognized opportunity." ~ Confucius

“The more people know, the more they forgive.

"The more people know, the more they forgive." ~ Confucius

“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation

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

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

"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." ~ Confucius

“Please stop waiting for a better and more appropriate time to become happy

"Please stop waiting for a better and more appropriate time to become happy and focus on the moment you live in. Happiness is not an arrival, it is the journey itself. Many people seek for happiness above the height of human beings, some below. Yet, happiness is exactly at the exact height of human beings." ~ Confucius

“The noble-minded are calm and steady. Little people are forever

"The noble-minded are calm and steady. Little people are forever fussing and fretting." ~ Confucius

“The Master was entirely free from four things: prejudice, foregone conclusions, obstinacy

"The Master was entirely free from four things: prejudice, foregone conclusions, obstinacy, and egoism." ~ Confucius

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

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

“The gentleman calls attention to the good points in others; he does not call attention

"The gentleman calls attention to the good points in others; he does not call attention to their defects. The small man does just the reverse of this." ~ Confucius

“If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.”

"If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand." ~ Confucius

“Wisdom is rooted in watching with affection the way people grow.”

"Wisdom is rooted in watching with affection the way people grow." ~ Confucius

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

"A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door." ~ Confucius

“A wise man seeks by music to strengthen his soul: the thoughtless

"A wise man seeks by music to strengthen his soul: the thoughtless one uses it to stifle his fears." ~ Confucius

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

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

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

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

“Teachers open the door … you enter by yourself.”

"Teachers open the door ... you enter by yourself." ~ Confucius

“A workman who wants to do his work well must first prepare his tools.”

"A workman who wants to do his work well must first prepare his tools." ~ Confucius

“All people are the same; only their habits differ.”

"All people are the same; only their habits differ." ~ Confucius

"Give a man a fish, feed home for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed for a lifetime." ~ Confucius

“When a wise man points at the moon the imbecile examines the finger.

"When a wise man points at the moon the imbecile examines the finger." ~ Confucius

"When young, beware of fighting; when strong, beware of sex; and when old, beware of possession." ~ Confucius

“You judge yourself by what you think you can achieve, others judge

"You judge yourself by what you think you can achieve, others judge you by what have achieved." ~ Confucius

“The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks

"The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort." ~ Confucius

“Being strong does not mean that you never fall down, but that whenever you fall,

"Being strong does not mean that you never fall down, but that whenever you fall, you get up again." ~ Confucius

“Table your mistakes, learn from them, then move on.” ~

"Table your mistakes, learn from them, then move on." ~ Confucius

“Every journey starts with a single step.”

"Every journey starts with a single step." ~ Confucius

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

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

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

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

“Don’t worry that other people don’t know you;

"Don't worry that other people don't know you; worry that you don't know other people." ~ Confucius

“To know your faults and be able to change is the greatest virtue.

"To know your faults and be able to change is the greatest virtue." ~ Confucius

“We can know a person by observing his behaviour, understanding the reasons for

"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?" ~ Confucius

“He who fails to prepare, prepares to fail”

"He who fails to prepare, prepares to fail" ~ Confucius

“Be loyal and trustworthy. Do not befriend anyone who is lower

"Be loyal and trustworthy. Do not befriend anyone who is lower than yourself in this regard." ~ Confucius

"Yin and yang, male and female, strong and weak, rigid and tender, heaven and earth, light and darkness, thunder and lightning, cold and warmth, good and evil...the interplay of opposite principles constitutes the universe." ~ Confucius

“roads were made for journeys not destinations”

"Roads were made for journeys not destinations" ~ Confucius

"The superior person is in harmony, but does not follow the crowd. The lesser person follows the crowd, but is not in harmony." ~ Confucius

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

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

"Do not worry about not holding high position; worry rather about playing your proper role. Worry not that no one knows of you; seek to be worth knowing." ~ Confucius

"Cultivated people foster what is good in others, not what is bad. Petty people do the opposite." ~ Confucius

"If you yourself desire establishment, then help others to get establishment; if you yourself want success, then help others to attain success." ~ Confucius

"Unify your attention. Do not listen with your ears, but with your mind. Do not listen with your mind but with your essence." ~ Confucius

"Study the past if you want to define the future." ~ Confucius

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

"Don't let your past determine your destiny." ~ Confucius

"Study the past, if you would divine the future." ~ Confucius

"Let our reason, and not our senses, be the rule of our conduct; for reason will teach us to think wisely, to speak prudently, and to behave worthily." ~ Confucius

"To take what you know for what you know, and what you do not know for what you do not know, that is knowledge indeed." ~ Confucius

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

"The man of wisdom is never of two minds; the man of benevolence never worries; the man of courage is never afraid." ~ Confucius

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

"Rather than caring about whether or not you are known, strive to be worth knowing." ~ Confucius

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

"Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in men's clothes." ~ Confucius

"When you see a good man, try to emulate his example, and when you see a bad man, search yourself for his faults." ~ Confucius

"The superior man loves his soul; the inferior man loves his property." ~ Confucius

"These are the four abuses: desire to succeed in order to make oneself famous; taking credit for the labors of others; refusal to correct one's errors despite advice; refusal to change one's ideas despite warnings." ~ Confucius

“Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.”

"Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses." ~ Confucius

"By gaining the people, the kingdom is gained; by losing the people, the kingdom is lost." ~ Confucius

"Tzu Chang asked Confucius about jen. Confucius said, "If you can practice these five things with all the people, you can be called jen." Tzu Chang asked what they were. Confucius said, "Courtesy, generosity, honesty, persistence, and kindness. If you are courteous, you will not be disrespected; if you are generous, you will gain everything. If you are honest, people will rely on you. If you are persistent you will get results. If you are kind, you can employ people." ~ Confucius

"Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous." ~ Confucius

"The tongue must be heavy indeed, because so few people can hold it" ~ Confucius

"Transport a handful of earth everyday and you will make a mountain." ~ Confucius

"Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life." ~ Confucius

"When a person should be spoken with, and you don't speak with them, you lose them. When a person shouldn't be spoken with and you speak to them, you waste your breath. The wise do not lose people, nor do they waste their breath." ~ Confucius

"The gentleman has nine cares. In seeing he is careful to see clearly; in hearing he is careful to hear distinctly; in his looks he is careful to be kind, in his manner to be respectful, in his words to be sincere, in his work to be diligent. When in doubt he is careful to ask for information; when angry he has a care for the consequences; and when he sees a chance for gain, he thinks carefully whether the pursuits of it would be right." ~ Confucius

"Future generation is the most important thing." ~ Confucius

"A man who lacks reliability is utterly useless." ~ Confucius

"Exemplary persons are steadfast in the face of adversity, while petty persons are engulfed by it." ~ Confucius

"A man who has committed a mistake and does not correct it is committing another mistake." ~ Confucius

"He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior." ~ Confucius

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

"Do not answer the person whose questions are vile. Do not question a person whose answers are vile." ~ Confucius

"A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses. If you are generous, you will gain everything." ~ Confucius

"If your plan is for one year plant rice. If your plan is for ten years plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years educate children." ~ Confucius

"To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace." ~ Confucius

"To become a leader, you must first become a human being" ~ Confucius

"If you try to do too much, you will not achieve anything." ~ Confucius

"Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without." ~ Confucius

"There are three marks of a superior man: being virtuous, he is free from anxiety; being wise, he is free from perplexity; being brave, he is free from fear." ~ Confucius

"Man who want pretty nurse, must be patient." ~ Confucius

"Great is the man who can overcome the world, but greater still is the man who can overcome himself, for he will have the world spinning on the palm of his hand." ~ Confucius

"The Gods cannot help those who do not seize opportunities." ~ Confucius

"It is better to play than do nothing." ~ Confucius

"Reviewing what you have learned and learning anew, you are fit to be a teacher." ~ Confucius

"Balance is the perfect state of still water. Let that be our model. It remains quiet within and is not disturbed on the surface." ~ Confucius

"Man shoot at nothing, sure to hit it." ~ Confucius

"A gentleman can see a question from all sides without bias. The small man is biased and can see a question only from one side." ~ Confucius

"Don't worry if people don't recognize your merits; worry that you may not recognize theirs." ~ Confucius

"Don't worry about being acknowledged by others; worry about failing to acknowledge them." ~ Confucius

"Big head, target for enemy; big heart, target for friend." ~ Confucius

"A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top." ~ Confucius

"Study without reflection is a waste of time; reflection without study is dangerous." ~ Confucius

"A man who does not forget an agreement is resolved and honorable man." ~ Confucius

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

"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." ~ Confucius

"An image is better than one thousand words" ~ Confucius

"Your eyes are always bigger than your stomach." ~ Confucius

"When people are educated, the distinction between classes disappears." ~ Confucius

"At fifteen, my mind was bent on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was receptive to truth. At seventy, I could follow my heart's desires without sin." ~ Confucius

"There are those men who say to repay evil with kindness. But I say, how then are we to repay kindness? Repay kindness with kindness, but repay evil with justice." ~ Confucius

"Don't be concerned that you have no position; be concerned how you may fit yourself to occupy one. ." ~ Confucius

"There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life -reciprocity." ~ Confucius

"If you want to change the world, first change your heart." ~ Confucius

"Men do not stumble over mountains, but over mole hills." ~ Confucius

"Do unto others as you wish others do unto you." ~ Confucius

"Isn't it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?" ~ Confucius

"Be versed in ancient lore, and familiarize yourself with the modern; then may you become teachers." ~ Confucius

"If you lead the people with correctness, who will dare not be correct?" ~ Confucius

"Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone." ~ Confucius

"Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean." ~ Confucius

"The Superior Man is aware of Righteousness, the inferior man is aware of advantage." ~ Confucius

"The mirror reflects all objects without being sullied" ~ Confucius

"The superior man is easy to serve, but difficult to please ... The inferior man is difficult to serve, but easy to please." ~ Confucius

"If you don't know how to live, why wonder about death?" ~ 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

“Respect yourself and others will respect you.”

"Respect yourself and others will respect you." ~ Confucius

"Do not use a cannon to kill a mosquito." ~ Confucius

"Time flows away like the water in the river." ~ Confucius

"He Who Knows And Knows That He Knows Is A Wise Man - Follow Him; He Who Knows Not And Knows Not That He Knows Not Is A Fool - Shun Him" ~ Confucius

"The man who is master of himself drinks gravely and wisely." ~ Confucius

"He who is really kind, can never be unhappy" ~ Confucius

"You cannot open a book without learning something." ~ Confucius

"The more you know yourself, the more you forgive yourself." ~ Confucius

"When you are ignorant about something, to know that you are ignorant about it - that is knowledge." ~ Confucius

"Reading without thinking will confuse you.Thinking without reading will place you in danger." ~ 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

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

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

"There are three things against which the wise man guards: lust when young, quarrels when strong, and covetousness when old." ~ Confucius

"Excess and deficiency are equally at fault." ~ Confucius

"The man who loves his job never works a day in his life." ~ Confucius

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

"When strict with oneself, one rarely fails." ~ Confucius

"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." ~ 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." ~ Confucius

"The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived." ~ Confucius

"To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness." ~ Confucius

“It is better not to proceed at all than to proceed without purpose.”

"It is better not to proceed at all than to proceed without purpose." ~ Confucius

"You must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance." ~ Confucius

"What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others." ~ Confucius

"We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression; the heart of a wise man should resemble a mirror, which reflects every object without being sullied by any" ~ Confucius

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

"The ideal teacher guides his students but does not pull them along; he urges them to go forward and does not suppress them; he opens the way but does not take them to the place." ~ Confucius

"To know and not do, is to not yet know." ~ Confucius

"What is God-given is called nature; to follow nature is called Tao (the Way); to cultivate the way is called culture. Before joy, anger, sadness and happiness are expressed, they are called the inner self; when they are expressed to the proper degree, they are called harmony. The inner self is the correct foundation of the world, and the harmony is the illustrious Way. When a man has achieved the inner self and harmony, the heaven and earth are orderly and the myriad of things are nourished and grow thereby." ~ Confucius

"There are three friendships which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Friendship with the upright; friendship with the sincere; and friendship with the man of much observation: these are advantageous. Friendship with the man of specious airs; friendship with the insinuatingly soft; and friendship with the glib-tongued: these are injurious." ~ Confucius

"Shall I tell you what knowledge is? It is to know both what one knows and what one does not know." ~ Confucius

"Base yourself in loyalty and trust. Don't be companion with those who are not your moral equal. When you make a mistake, don't hesitate to correct it." ~ Confucius

“To be fond of learning is near to wisdom.”

"To be fond of learning is near to wisdom." ~ Confucius

"See a person's means ... Observe his motives. Examine that in which he rests. How can a person conceal his character?" ~ Confucius

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

"Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge." ~ Confucius

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

"Heaven sends down its good and evil symbols and wise men act accordingly." ~ Confucius

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

"First there must be order and harmony within your own mind. Then this order will spread to your family, then to the community, and finally to your entire kingdom. Only then can you have peace and harmony." ~ Confucius

“The chase of gain is rich in hate”

"The chase of gain is rich in hate." ~ Confucius

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

"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me you don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step the man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." ~ Confucius

"The sun and moon shine on all without partiality." ~ Confucius

"The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later." ~ Confucius

"The most beautiful sight in the world is a little child going confidently down the road of life after you have shown him the way." ~ Confucius

"Return good for good; return evil with justice." ~ Confucius

"Those who know the TRUTH are not equal to those who love it." ~ Confucius

"When you serve your mother and father it is okay to try to correct them once in a while. But if you see that they are not going to listen to you, keep your respect for them and don't distance yourself from them. Work without complaining." ~ Confucius

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

"Therefore only through education does one come to be dissatisfied with his own knowledge, and only through teaching others does one come to realize the uncomfortable inadequacy of his knowledge. Being dissatisfied with his own knowledge, one then realizes that the trouble lies with himself, and realizing the uncomfortable inadequacy of his knowledger." ~ Confucius

"The superior man is intelligently, not blindly, faithful." ~ Confucius

"The superior person gathers his weapons together in order to provide against the unforeseen." ~ Confucius

"Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change." ~ Confucius

“Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it. To see it a person only needs

"Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it. To see it a person only needs to imagine how it could be worse." ~ Confucius

"When a man is guided by the principles of reciprocity and consciousness, he is not far from the moral law. Whatever you don't wish for yourself don't do unto others." ~ Confucius

"It is not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs." ~ Confucius

"Heaven means to be one with God." ~ Confucius

"The superior man is quiet and calm, waiting for the appointments of heaven, while the mean man walks in dangerous paths, looking for lucky occurrences." ~ Confucius

"Writing cannot express all words, words cannot encompass all ideas." ~ Confucius

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

"The great man is sparing in words but prodigal in deeds." ~ Confucius

"At 15 I set my heart on learning; At 30 I firmly took my stand; At 40 I had no delusions; At 50 I knew the Mandate of Heaven; At 60 my ear was attuned; At 70 I followed my heart's desire without overstepping the boundaries of right." ~ Confucius

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

"The one who was born a genius can't win against the one who tries, and the one who tries can't win against the one who enjoys." ~ Confucius

"It is man that makes truth great, and not truth that makes man great." ~ Confucius

"Study as if you have not reached your goal - hold it as if you were afraid of losing what you have." ~ Confucius

"Don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you." ~ Confucius

"When wealth is centralized, the people are dispersed. When wealth is distributed, the people are brought together." ~ Confucius

"To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away." ~ Confucius

"Without that innate sense of human worth, a man cannot long endure adversity, nor can he long enjoy prosperity." ~ Confucius

"A superior man is one who is free from fear and anxieties" ~ Confucius

"Plan ahead or find trouble on the doorstep." ~ Confucius

"Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you." ~ Confucius

"If one is guided by profit in one's actions, one will incur much ill will." ~ Confucius

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

"The superior man limits his achievements." ~ Confucius

"The higher type of man clings to virtue, the lower type of man clings to material comfort. The higher type of man cherishes justice, the lower type of man cherishes the hope of favors to be received." ~ Confucius

"Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly" ~ Confucius

"A hammer shatters glass but it also forges steel." ~ Confucius

"Riches and honor are what everyone desires, but if they can be gained only by doing evil, they must not be held. Don't worry about not being in office, worry about qualifying yourself for office. Don't worry that no one knows you, but seek to be worthy of being known." ~ Confucius

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

"In antiquity men studied for their own sake; nowadays men study for the sake of impressing others." ~ Confucius

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

"What is most needed for learning is a humble mind." ~ Confucius

"To know everything is to know nothing, but to know nothing is to know everything." ~ Confucius

"First there must be order and harmony within your own mind." ~ Confucius

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

"When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points." ~ Confucius

"There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute." ~ Confucius

"The man of perfect virtue, wishing to be established himself, seeks also to establish others; wishing to be enlarged himself, he seeks also to enlarge others." ~ Confucius

"When the perfect order prevails, the world is like a home shared by all. Leaders are capable and virtuous. Everyone loves and respects their own parents and children as well as the parents and children of others. The old are cared for, adults have jobs, children are nourished and educated. There is a means of support for all those who are disabled or find themselves alone in the world. Everyone has an appropriate role to play in the family and society. Devotion to public duty leaves no place for idleness. Scheming for ill gain is unknown. Sharing displaces selfishness and materialism." ~ Confucius

"The person of benevolence never worries." ~ Confucius

"Humankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away." ~ Confucius

"Never hesitate to ask a lesser person." ~ Confucius

"Sincerity is the way of heaven." ~ Confucius

"The demands that a great man makes are on himself; those of a petty man are upon others." ~ Confucius

"Stars are holes in the sky from which the light of the infinite shines." ~ Confucius

"The contrived language and the flattering attitude rarely come with the virtue." ~ Confucius

"When things are investigated, then true knowledge is achieved; when true knowledge is achieved, then the will becomes sincere; when the will is sincere, then the heart is set right ; when the heart is set right, then the personal life is cultivated; when the personal life is cultivated, then the family life is regulated; when the family life is regulated, then the national life is orderly; and when the national life is orderly, then there is peace in this world." ~ Confucius

"To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content." ~ Confucius

"Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more." ~ Confucius

"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." ~ Confucius

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

"Those people who develop the ability to continuously acquire new and better forms of knowledge that they can apply to their work and to their lives will be the movers and shakers in our society for the indefinite future." ~ Confucius

"A lack of patience in trifling matters might lead to the disruption of great project." ~ Confucius

"Character is the backbone of our human culture. Music is the flowering of character." ~ Confucius

"Seek Not Every Quality In One Individual." ~ Confucius

"He who merely knows right principles is not equal to him who loves them." ~ Confucius

"When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable." ~ Confucius

"To know it is not as good as to love it, and to love it is not as good as to take delight in it." ~ Confucius

"If a man is respectful he will not be treated with insolence. If he is tolerant he will win the multitude. If he is trustworthy in word his fellow men will entrust him with responsibility. If he is quick he will achieve results." ~ Confucius

"Respect the gods and the devils but keep them at a distance" ~ Confucius

"The only people who cannot change are the most wise and the most stupid." ~ Confucius

“A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon others

"A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon others." ~ Confucius

"Ask yourself constantly, "What is the right thing to do?" Behave toward everyone as if receiving a great guest." ~ Confucius

"The superior man... does not set his mind either for or against anything, he will pursue whatever is right. The superior man thinks of virtue, the common man of comfort." ~ Confucius

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