Confucius - Analects

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Good government obtains when those who are near are made happy, and those who are far off are attracted.

Confucius
Learn as if you were not reaching your goal and as though you were scared of missing it

Confucius
The Master said, At fifteen I set my heart upon learning. At thirty, I had planted my feet firm upon the ground. At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities. At fifty, I knew what were the biddings of Heaven. At sixty, I heard them with docile ear. At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of righ.

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
It is only the very wisest and the very stupidest who cannot change.

Confucius
First and foremost, be faithful to your superiors, keep all promises, refuse the friendship of all who are not like you; and if you have made a mistake, do not be afraid of admitting the fact and amending your ways.

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

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

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

Confucius
I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue would esteem nothing above it.

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

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

Confucius
Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, seek to be worthy of being known.

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

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

Confucius
At fifteen, my mind was bent on learning.
At thirty, I stood firm.
At forty, I had no doubts.
At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven.
At sixty, my ear was receptive to truth.
At seventy, I could follow my heart's desires without sin.

Confucius
The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it.

Confucius
They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

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
To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

Confucius
Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.

Confucius
When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self.

Confucius
To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue.... [They are] gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

Confucius