Confucius Quotes

5th-century BCE Chinese philosopher and politician

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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.

From: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Native Name: 孔夫子

Alternative Names: Confucio • Konfuzius • Cheu-kong • Chung-ni • Cong-tse • K'ung Chung-ni • K'ung Fu-tse • K'ung-fu-tzu • K'ung-tzu • Kong Fu Zi • Kong Fuzi • Kong Qiu • Kong Zhongni • Kongfuzi • Kongqiu • Kongzi • Kung Chung-ni • Kung Fu Tzu • Kung Fu-tse • Kungfutse • Zhongni

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Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

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

The wise never doubt. The Humane never worry. The brave never fear.

"Tsz-lu said to the Master, "As the prince of Wei, sir, has been waiting for you to act for him in his government, what is it your intention to take in hand first?"

"One thing of necessity," he answered "the rectification of terms."

"That!" exclaimed Tsz-lu. "How far away you are, sir! Why such rectification?"

"What a rustic you are, Tsz-lu!" rejoined the Master. "A gentleman would be a little reserved and reticent in matters which he does not understand. If terms be incorrect, language will be incongruous; and if language be incongruous, deeds will be imperfect. So, again, when deeds are imperfect, propriety and harmony cannot prevail, and when this is the case laws relating to crime will fail in their aim; and if these last so fail, the people will not know where to set hand or foot. Hence, a man of superior mind, certain first of his terms, is fitted to speak; and being certain of what he says can proceed upon it. In the language of such a person there is nothing heedlessly irregular and that is the sum of the matter.

The one who teaches is the giver of eyes.

君子求诸己，小人求诸人。

(A gentleman blames himself while a common man blames others.)

The Master said, Study as though you could never catch up, [and if you did,] you would still be fearful of losing it.

知之者不如好之者，好之者不如樂之者。”
“Knowing it does not compare with loving it; loving it does not compare with delighting in it.

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

It is only he who is possessed of the most complete sincerity that can exist under heaven, who can give its full development to his nature. Able to give its full development to his own nature, he can do the same to the nature of other men. Able to give its full development to the nature of other men, he can give their full development to the natures of animals and things. Able to give their full development to the natures of creatures and things, he can assist the transforming and nourishing powers of Heaven and Earth. Able to assist the transforming and nourishing powers of Heaven and Earth, he may with Heaven and Earth form a ternion.

One joy dispels a hundred cares.

When the Great Dao (Tao, perfect order) prevails, the world is like a Commonwealth State shared by all, not a dictatorship.

All people respect and love their own parents and children, as well as the parents and children of others.

If the will be set on virtue, there will be no practice of wickedness.

When it comes to hearing civil litigation, I am as good as anyone else. What is necessary, though, is to bring it about that there is no civil litigation at all.