Confucius Quotes

A man's character is formed by the Odes, developed by the Rites and perfected by music.

邦有道貧且賤焉恥也，邦無道富且貴焉恥也。

默而識之，學而不厭，誨人不倦，何有於我哉？

Leaving virtue without proper cultivation; not thoroughly discussing what is learned; not being able to move towards righteousness of which a knowledge is gained; and not being able to change what is not good: — these are the things which occasion me solicitude.

德之不修，學之不講，聞義不能徒，不善不能改，是吾憂也。

When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them.

三人行，必有我師焉：擇其善者而從之，其不善者而改之。

I do not open up the truth to one who is not eager to get knowledge, nor help out any one who is not anxious to explain himself. When I have presented one corner of a subject to any one, and he cannot from it learn the other three, I do not repeat my lesson.

不憤不啟；不悱不發。擧一隅，不以三隅反，則不復也。

Cornered vessel without corners, strange cornered vessel, strange cornered vessel.

The superior man, extensively studying all learning, and keeping himself under the restraint of the rules of propriety, may thus likewise not overstep what is right.

君子博學於文、約之以禮、亦可以弗畔矣夫。

知者樂水，仁者樂山。知者動，仁者静。知者樂，仁者寿。

To those whose talents are above mediocrity, the highest subjects may be announced. To those who are below mediocrity, the highest subjects may not be announced.

中人以上、可以語上也、中人以下、不可以語上也。