Confucius Quotes

236 Sourced Quotes

Music is the one thing in which there is no use trying to deceive others or make false pretenses.

Confucius
Learn, as if never overtaking your object, and yet as if apprehensive of losing it.

Confucius
If I cannot get men who steer a middle course to associate with, I would far rather have the impetuous and hasty. For the impetuous at any rate assert themselves.

Confucius
The administration of government lies in getting proper men. Such men are to be got by means of the ruler's own character. That character is to be cultivated by his treading in the ways of duty. And the treading those ways of duty is to be cultivated by the cherishing of benevolence.

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

Confucius
The superior man, extensively studying all learning, and keeping himself under the restraint of the rules of propriety, may thus likewise not overstep what is right.

Confucius
From the Son of Heaven down to the mass of the people, all must consider the cultivation of the person the root of everything besides.

Confucius
The really faithful lover of learning holds fast to the Good Way till death.

Confucius
The gentleman desires to be halting in speech but quick in action.

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

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

Confucius
The people may be put into the way they should go, though they may not be put into the way of understanding it.

Confucius
The small man thinks that small acts of goodness are of no benefit, and does not do them; and that small deeds of evil do no harm, and does not refrain from them. Hence, his wickedness becomes so great that it cannot be concealed, and his guilt so great that it cannot be pardoned.

Confucius
The silent treasuring up of knowledge; learning without satiety; and instructing others without being wearied: which one of these things belongs to me?

Confucius
Guide them by edicts, keep them in line with punishments, and the common people will stay out of trouble but will have no sense of shame. Guide them by virtue, keep them in line with the rites, and they will, besides having a sense of shame, reform themselves.

Confucius
When a man feels the difficulty of doing, can he be other than cautious and slow in speaking?

Confucius
It cannot be when the root is neglected that what springs from it will be well ordered.

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

Confucius
If a superior man abandon virtue, how can he fulfil the requirements of that name?

Confucius
Love makes a spot beautiful: who chooses not to dwell in love, has he got wisdom?

Confucius
The young should be dutiful at home, modest abroad, careful and true, overflowing in kindness for all, but in brotherhood with love. And if they have strength to spare they should spend it on the arts.

Confucius
Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly.

Confucius
To govern is to correct. If you set an example by being correct, who would dare remain incorrect?

Confucius
Men of practical knowledge find their gratification among rivers.

Confucius
Who expects to be able to go out of a house except by the door? How is it then that no one follows this Way of ours?

Confucius
The superior man accords with the course of the Mean. Though he may be all unknown, unregarded by the world, he feels no regret - It is only the sage who is able for this.

Confucius
In your promises cleave to what is right, And you will be able to fulfill your word.

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

Confucius
Only after Winter comes do we know that the pine and the cypress are the last to fade.

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

Confucius