Confucius - Man Quotes

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The superior man extensively studies literature and restrains himself with the rules of propriety. Thus he will not violate the Way.

Confucius
The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.

Confucius
I have yet to meet a man as fond of high moral conduct as he is of outward appearances.

Confucius
If a man sets his heart on benevolence he will be free from evil.

Confucius
The Three Armies can be deprived of their commanding officer, but even a common man cannot be deprived of his purpose.

Confucius
The superior man has a dignified ease without pride. The mean man has pride without a dignified ease.

Confucius
What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others.

Confucius
Without recognizing the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man.

Confucius
The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a position of wealth and honor, he does what is proper to a position of wealth and honor. In a poor and low position, he does what is proper to a poor and low position.

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

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
A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door.

Confucius
Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone.

Confucius
Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.

Confucius
Man is born with uprightness. If one loses it he will be lucky if he escapes with his life.

Confucius
[The superior man] acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.

Confucius
The Path is not far from man. When men try to pursue a course, which is far from the common indications of consciousness, this course cannot be considered The Path.

Confucius
The superior man is distressed by his want of ability.

Confucius
Sincerity is that whereby self-completion is effected, and its way is that by which man must direct himself.

Confucius