Confucius Quotes

“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.”

“Every man knows the smell of his own fart.”

“Humanity is the equity of the heart.”

“A good man does not worry about not being known by others, but rather is concerned about not knowing them.”

“Knowledge is recognizing what you know and what you don't.”

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

“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.”

“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.”

“Charity, like the sun, brightens every object on which it shines.”

“As the water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it, so a wise man adapts himself to circumstances.”

“No lake so still but it has its wave. No circle so perfect but that it has its blur. I would change things for you if I could; As I can't you must take them as they are.”

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

“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 ought to be done, remains undone.”

“He who acts with a constant view to his own advantage will be much murmured against.”

“There are 3 elements essential in the matters of the State, Food, Military equipment, and Confidence of the people in the ruler. Of these 3, Military Equipment is the least important, Food being the 2nd important, and Confidence of the people being the MOST important. All men rather die of starvation than in war, but nevertheless all men do die of old age. Lacking in Confidence from the people, a state cannot survive.”

“It is true that we shall not be able to reach perfection, but in our struggle toward it we shall strengthen our characters and give stability to our ideas, so that, whilst ever advancing calmly in the same direction, we shall be rendered capable of applying the faculties with which we have been gifted to the best possible account.”

“The superior man is intelligently, not blindly, faithful.”

“A youth is to be regarded with respect.”

“Possessed of courage but devoid of morality, a superior man will make trouble while a small man will be a brigand.”

“A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top.”

“Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you.”

“Man who eat many prunes get good run for money.”

“There is no body but eats and drinks. But they are few who can distinguish flavors.”

“Sincerity is the end and beginning of things; without sincerity there would be nothing.”

“If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength; if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if in his intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere - although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.”