Confucius Quotes

236 Sourced Quotes

There are three degrees of filial piety. The highest is being a credit to our parents, the second is not disgracing them; the lowest is being able simply to support them.

Confucius
It was by music that the ancient kings gave elegant expression to their joy. By their armies and axes they gave the same to their anger.

Confucius
When we have intelligence resulting from sincerity, this condition is to be ascribed to nature; when we have sincerity resulting from intelligence, this condition is to be ascribed to instruction. But given the sincerity, and there shall be the intelligence; given the intelligence, and there shall be the sincerity.

Confucius
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
Only the most intelligent and the most stupid do not change.

Confucius
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.

Confucius
If you did not do so for the sake of riches, You must have done so for the sake of novelty.

Confucius
Look closely into his aims, observe the means by which he pursues them, discover what brings him content - and can the man's real worth remain hidden from you?

Confucius
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

Confucius
Let a man be stimulated by poetry, established by the rules of propriety, and perfected by music.

Confucius
Women and people of low birth are very hard to deal with. If you are friendly to them, they get out of hand, and if you keep your distance, they resent it.

Confucius
Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.

Confucius
Behave when away from home as though you were in the presence of an honored guest. Employ the people as though you were assisting at an important sacrifice. Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no feelings of opposition to you, whether it is the affairs of a state that you are handling or the affairs of a family.

Confucius
The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived.

Confucius
Set your will on the Way. Have a firm grasp on virtue. Rely on humanity. Find recreation in the arts.

Confucius
Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.

Confucius
To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

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 good man does not grieve
that other people do not recognize his merits.
His only anxiety is lest he should fail to recognize theirs.

Confucius
If there were an honorable way to get rich, I'd do it, even if it meant being a stooge standing around with a whip. But there isn't an honorable way, so I just do what I like.

Confucius