Quotes from Confucius

No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.

The Master said, The case is like that of someone raising a mound. If he stops working, the fact that it perhaps needed only one more basketful makes no difference; I stay where I am. Whereas even if he has not got beyond leveling the ground, but is still at work, the fact that he has only tilted one basketful of earth makes no difference. I go to help him.

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

To conceal resentment against a person, and appear friendly with him;— Tso Ch'iu-ming was ashamed of such conduct.

If things far away don't concern you, you'll soon mourn things close at hand.

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

If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish.

Respect the gods and the devils but keep them at a distance

Let a ruler base his government upon virtuous principles, and he will be like the pole-star, which remains steadfast in its place, while all the host of stars turn towards it

The gentleman does not promote people merely on the basis of their words, nor does he reject words merely because of the person who uttered them.

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.

If you did not do so for the sake of riches,You must have done so for the sake of novelty.

Success depends upon previous preparation.

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

One who never anticipates deceit or expects duplicity, and yet is the first to recognize such things – is that not a sage indeed?

The one who teaches is the giver of eyes.

The noble-minded worry about their lack of ability, not about people's failure to recognize their ability.

To rank the effort above the prize may be called love.

The Master said, "The gentleman does not serve as a vessel." (Analects 2.12)

If I am walking with two people, both will be my teachers

Even four harnessed horses cannot bring imprudent words back into the mouth.

He who is concerned only with the purity of his own life ruins the great human relations.

There is never a case when the root is in order and yet the branches are in order

those who understands is not better than those who appreciates, those who appreciates is not better than those who enjoys.