Top 917 Quotes & Sayings by Confucius

You cannot open a book without learning something.

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.

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

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

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

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

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.

To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.

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

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.

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

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

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

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.

To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

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

The cautious seldom err.

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

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

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

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

Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

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.

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

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

A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.

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

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

Heaven means to be one with God.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A youth, when at home, should be filial and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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