Confucius Quotes

To one who is not eager I do not reveal anything, nor do I explain anything to one who is not communicative. If I raise one corner for someone and he cannot come back with the other three, I do not go on.

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.

古之學者為己，今之學者為人

Examine si ce que tu promets est juste et possible, car la promesse est une dette.

I hate to tell but now is all there ever is.

Don’t grieve when people fail to recognize your ability. Grieve for your lack of ability instead.

It doesn't matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop

Be strict with yourself but least reproachful of others and complaint is kept afar.

«Cuando venza la gran verdad, entonces la tierra será propiedad de todos. Se escogerá a los más sabios y a

Tzu-chang[21] asked whether we can know what is to be ten generations hence. The Master said, The Yin[22] took over the manners of the Hsia; the harm and the good that they did them can be known. The Chou took over the manners of the Yin; the harm and the good that they did them can be known. And we may know what shall be, even an hundred generations hence, whoever follows Chou.

You yourself desire rank and standing; then help others to get rank and standing. You want to turn your merits to account; then help others to turn theirs to account.

The way out is through the door. Why is it that no one will use this method?

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

On a deux vies et la deuxième commence le jour ou l'on se rend compte qu'on n'en a qu'une.