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A gentleman, in his plans, thinks of the Way; he does not think how he is going to make a living. Even farming sometimes has a shortage; and even learning may incidentally bring a salary. A gentleman is concerned with the progress of the Way; he is not anxious about poverty.
Confucius
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As in the case of making a mound, if, before the very last basketful, I stop, then I shall have stopped. As in the case of leveling the ground, if, though tipping only one basketful, I am going forward, then I shall be making progress.
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Sincerity becomes apparent. From being apparent, it becomes manifest. From being manifest, it becomes brilliant. Brilliant, it affects others. Affecting others, they are changed by it. Changed by it, they are transformed. It is only he who is possessed of the most complete sincerity that can exist under heaven, who can transform.
Confucius
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Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men.
Confucius
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The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.
Confucius
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In a hamlet of ten households, there are bound to be those who are my equal in doing their best for others and in being trustworthy in what they say, but they are unlikely to be as eager to learn as I am.
Confucius
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The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration.
Confucius
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A man should demand much from himself, but little from others. When you meet a man of worth, think how you may attain to his excellence. When you meet an unworthy one, then look within and examine yourself.
Confucius
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It is when those who are not strong enough have made some moderate amount of progress that they fail and give up...
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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.
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There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth... lust. When he is strong... quarrelsomeness. When he is old... covetousness.
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A knight whose heart is set upon the Way, but who is ashamed of wearing shabby clothes and eating coarse food, is not worth calling into counsel.
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To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.
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The superior man understands righteousness; the inferior man understands profit.
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If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things.
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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.
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The man who in the view of gain thinks of righteousness; who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life; and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends — such a man may be reckoned a complete man.
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Care not for want of place; care for thy readiness to fill one. Care not for being unknown, but seek to be worthy of note.
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Things that are done, it is needless to speak about... things that are past, it is needless to blame.
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To rank the effort above the prize may be called love.
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He who learns but does not think, is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.
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Women and servants are most difficult to deal with. If you are familiar with them, they cease to be humble. If you keep a distance from them, they resent it.
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Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.
Confucius
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Is it not a pleasure to learn and to repeat or practice from time to time what has been learned? Is it not delightful to have friends coming from afar? Is one not a superior man if he does not feel hurt even though he does not feel recognized?
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It is man that can make the Way great, and not the Way that can make man great.
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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
practice
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