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Confucius Quotes
551 BC–479 BC China
Confucius (traditionally 28 September 551 B.C. – 479 B.C.) was a Chinese social philosopher, whose teachings deeply influenced East Asian life and thought. "Confucius" is a latinization of the Chinese 孔夫子, Kong Fu Zi or K'ung-fu-tzu, literally "Master Kong", but he is usually referred to in China with a simpler version of this honorific as 孔子, Kongzi, or Kǒng Zǐ.
China Editors Educators Historians Philosophers Also known as: Confucianism, Confucianist, Confucious, K'ung-fu-tzu, Kong Fu Zi, Kongzi
Random Confucius quote
163 quotes
The superior man accords with the course of the Mean. Though he may be all unknown, unregarded by the world, he feels no regret — It is only the sage who is able for this.
Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Then no friends would not be like yourself (all friends would be as loyal as yourself). If you make a mistake, do not be afraid to correct it.
Cornered vessel without corners, strange cornered vessel, strange cornered vessel.
Thus intrigues and conspiracies do not arise, and thievery and robbery do not occur; therefore doors need never be locked.
When the Great Dao (Tao, perfect order) prevails, the world is like a Commonwealth State shared by all, not a dictatorship.
The commander of the forces of a large State may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him.
Honesty and trust are promoted, and good neighborliness cultivated.
The superior man, even when he is not moving, has a feeling of reverence, and while he speaks not, he has the feeling of truthfulness.
Virtuous, worthy, wise and capable people are chosen as leaders.
From the Son of Heaven down to the mass of the people, all must consider the cultivation of the person the root of everything besides.
To give one's self earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.
The man of perfect virtue is cautious and slow in his speech. When a man feels the difficulty of doing, can he be other than cautious and slow in speaking?
The way which the superior man pursues, reaches wide and far, and yet is secret. Common men and women, however ignorant, may intermeddle with the knowledge of it; yet in its utmost reaches, there is that which even the sage does not know.
What Heaven has conferred is called The Nature; an accordance with this nature is called The Path of duty; the regulation of this path is called Instruction. The path may not be left for an instant. If it could be left, it would not be the path.
If I hear the Way [of truth] in the morning, I am content even to die in that evening.
To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.
Chi Wen Tzu always thought three times before taking action. When the Master was told of this, he commented, "Twice is quite enough."
Benevolence is the characteristic element of humanity.
"Only by perfect virtue can the perfect path, in all its courses, be made a fact."
In all things success depends on previous preparation, and without such previous preparation there is sure to be failure.
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