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Grieve not that men do not know you;
grieve that you do not know men.
Confucius
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When a man's knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again.
Confucius
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At fifteen my mind was set on learning. At thirty my character had been formed. At forty I had no more perplexities. At fifty I knew the Mandate of Heaven. At sixty I was at ease with whatever I heard. At seventy I could follow my heart's desire without transgressing moral principles.
Confucius
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That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate enough to be spared.
Confucius
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The superior man... does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what is right he will follow.
Confucius
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The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.
Confucius
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In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself.
Confucius
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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 his word his fellow man will entrust him with responsibility. If he is quick he will achieve results. if he is generous he will be good enough to be put in a position over his fellow men.
Confucius
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Just as lavishness leads easily to presumption, so does frugality to meanness. But meanness is a far less serious fault than presumption.
Confucius
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Everyone calls his son his son, whether he has talents or has not talents.
Confucius
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Be versed in ancient lore, and familiarize yourself with the modern; then may you become teachers.
Confucius
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Only after Winter comes do we know that the pine and the cypress are the last to fade.
Confucius
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There is no body but eats and drinks. But they are few who can distinguish flavors.
Confucius
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Is any one able for one day to apply his strength to virtue? I have not seen the case in which his strength would be sufficient.
Confucius
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There are cases in which the blade springs, but the plant does not go on to flower. There are cases where it flowers, but no fruit is subsequently produced.
Confucius
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The path may not be left for an instant. If it could be left, it would not be the path.
Confucius
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It is the way of the superior man to prefer the concealment of his virtue, while it daily becomes more illustrious, and it is the way of the mean man to seek notoriety, while he daily goes more and more to ruin.
Confucius
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Heaven, in the production of things, is sure to be bountiful to them, according to their qualities. Hence the tree that is flourishing, it nourishes, while that which is ready to fall, it overthrows.
Confucius
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When a man comes to me, I accept him at his best, not at his worst. Why make so much ado? When a man washes his hands before paying a visit, and you receive him in that clean state, you do not thereby stand surety for his always having been clean in the past.
Confucius
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Some may study side by side, and yet be asunder when they come to the logic of things.
Confucius
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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
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In vain I have looked for a single man capable of seeing his own faults and bringing the charge home against himself.
Confucius
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If the search for riches were sure to be successful, though I should become a groom with a whip in my hand to get them, I will do so. As the search may not be successful, I will follow after that which I love.
Confucius
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If the people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given them by punishments, they will try to avoid the punishment, but have no sense of shame.
Confucius
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The wise man delights in water, the Good man delights in mountains. For the wise move; but the Good stay still. The wise are happy; but the good secure.
Confucius
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Quote of the day
Now if the harvest is over, And the world cold, Give me the bonus of laughter, As I lose hold.
John Betjeman
Confucius
Born:
September 28, 551 BC
Died:
479 BC
(aged 72)
Bio:
Confucius was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history.
Known for:
Analects
Book of Rites (200 BC)
The sayings of Confucius
Book of Documents
The ethics of Confucius
Most used words:
man
superior
virtue
people
heaven
find
virtuous
sincerity
learning
love
propriety
learn
three
mind
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