Confucius Quotes

236 Sourced Quotes

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

Confucius
If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things.

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

Confucius
When a nation or family is about to flourish, there are sure to be happy omens; and when it is about to perish, there are sure to be unlucky omens.

Confucius
He who learns but does not think, is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

Confucius
If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.

Confucius
They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.

Confucius
If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening without regret.

Confucius
The determined scholar and the man of virtue will not seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. They will even sacrifice their lives to preserve their virtue complete.

Confucius
To be poor without murmuring is difficult. To be rich without being proud is easy.

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

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
If you desire what is good, the people will be good. The character of a ruler is like wind and that of the people is like grass. In whatever direction the wind blows the grass always bends.

Confucius
If one learns from others, but does not think, one will be bewildered. If, on the other hand, one thinks but does not learn from others, one will be in peril.

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

Confucius
Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.

Confucius
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
Does Heaven say anything? The four seasons run their course and all things are produced. Does Heaven say anything?

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

Confucius
A gentleman can withstand hardships; it is only the small man who, when submitted to them, is swept off his feet.

Confucius
Chi Wen Tzu always thought three times before taking action. Twice would have been quite enough.

Confucius
The superior man honors his virtuous nature, and maintains constant inquiry and study, seeking to carry it out to its breadth and greatness, so as to omit none of the more exquisite and minute points which it embraces, and to raise it to its greatest height and brilliancy.

Confucius