Quotes by Confucius

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.

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

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

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When anger rises, think of the consequences.

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

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Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

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

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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.

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Only the wisest and the stupidest of men never change.

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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.

More quotes about Character

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. He who knows these three things

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

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It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.

More quotes about Complaints and Complaining

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

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

More quotes about Conscience

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

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

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

More quotes about Example

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

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

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

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Faithfulness and sincerity are the highest things.

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I am not concerned that I am not known, I seek to be worthy to be known.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

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When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.

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

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Love thy neighbor as thyself: Do not to others what thou wouldn't not wish be done to thyself: Forgive injuries. Forgive thy enemy, be reconciled to him, give him assistance, invoke God in his behalf.

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Have no friends not equal to yourself.

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

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We take greater pains to persuade others we are happy than in trying to think so ourselves.

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

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

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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.

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Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

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

More quotes about Knowledge

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

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

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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.

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

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

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To love a thing means wanting it to live.

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

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

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

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

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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.

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Study the past if you would divine the future.

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

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

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

More quotes about Poverty and The Poor

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

More quotes about Practice

When prosperity comes, do not use all of it.

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

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

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

More quotes about Rewards

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

More quotes about Right and Rightness

Boldness, without the rules of propriety, becomes insubordination.

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

More quotes about Scholars and Scholarship

He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.

More quotes about Self-control

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

More quotes about Self-talk

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

More quotes about Service

Silence is the true friend that never betrays.

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

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Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue.

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

More quotes about Teachers and Teaching

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

More quotes about Thoughts and Thinking

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

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

More quotes about Vice

To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.

More quotes about Virtue

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

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

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

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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.

More quotes about Wisdom

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.

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

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

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Tsze-Kung asked, saying, 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.

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

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

More quotes about Worry

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

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