Confucius Quotes

A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

~ Confucius

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

~ Confucius

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

~ Confucius

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

~ Confucius

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

~ Confucius

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

~ Confucius

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

~ Confucius

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

~ Confucius

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.

~ Confucius

To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.

~ Confucius

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

~ Confucius

Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.

~ Confucius

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.

~ Confucius

The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

~ Confucius

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

~ Confucius

The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

~ Confucius

The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.

~ Confucius

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.

~ Confucius

There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.

~ Confucius

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

~ Confucius

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

~ Confucius

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

~ Confucius

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.

~ Confucius

Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.

~ Confucius

The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.

~ Confucius

The cautious seldom err.

~ Confucius

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

~ Confucius

If we don't know life, how can we know death?

~ Confucius

If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?

~ Confucius

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.

~ Confucius

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

~ 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, see to the (be?) worthy of being known.

~ Confucius

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

~ Confucius

Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!

~ Confucius

Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.

~ Confucius

Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.

~ Confucius

Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

~ Confucius

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

~ Confucius

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

~ Confucius

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

~ Confucius

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

~ Confucius

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

~ Confucius

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

~ Confucius

It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.

~ Confucius

It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.

~ Confucius

Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.

~ Confucius

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

~ Confucius

The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.

~ Confucius

The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

~ Confucius

The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.

~ Confucius

The object of the superior man is truth.

~ Confucius

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.

~ Confucius

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.

~ Confucius

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

~ Confucius

When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.

~ Confucius

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.

~ Confucius

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

~ Confucius

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.

~ Confucius

Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?

~ Confucius

You cannot open a book without learning something.

~ Confucius

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

~ Confucius

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

~ Confucius

When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

~ Confucius

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

~ Confucius

Heaven means to be one with God.

~ Confucius

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

~ Confucius

I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.

~ Confucius

I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your being.

~ Confucius

I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me;I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

~ 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

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

~ Confucius

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

~ Confucius

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

~ Confucius

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

~ Confucius

Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.

~ Confucius

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

~ Confucius