Quotes from Confucius

A conversa impregnada de vaidade e o pretensiosismo são raramente compatíveis com a virtude.

You are not yet able to serve men, how can you serve spirits?

Every man has two lives, and the second starts when he realizes he has just one

Mankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.

Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear.

If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with music?

The Master said, I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue, would esteem nothing above it. He who hated what is not virtuous, would practice virtue in such a way that he would not allow anything that is not virtuous to approach his person. Is any one able for one day to apply his strength to virtue? I have not seen the case in which his strength would be insufficient. Should there possibly be any such case, I have not seen it.

Do everything in moderation, even moderation.

Don't worry if you have no position: worry about making yourself worthy of one. Don't worry if you aren't known and admired: devote yourself to a life that deserves admiration.

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.

I am not one who was born with great wisdom. I love the ancients and diligently seek wisdom among them.

Naming enables the noble-minded to speak, and speech enables the noble-minded to act. Therefore, the noble-minded are anything but careless in speech.

There are those who act without knowing; I will have none of this. To hear a lot, choose the good, and follow it, to see a lot and learn to recognize it: this is next knowledge.

It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them. Confucius This is a major problem in America, where greed, power, and money are the highest value. This creates a paranoia atmosphere.I mention this all the time, but first time I have ever seen it.

A noble minded person is not an implement.

A legendary horse is praised not for its strength, but for its Integrity.

The Master said, Guide the people by law, aline them by punishment; they may shun crime, but they will want shame. Guide them by mind, aline them by courtesy; they will learn shame and grow good.

The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear.

They will do; but they are not equal to him, who, though poor, is yet cheerful, and to him, who, though rich, loves the rules of propriety.

Ada yang mengukur hidup mereka dari hari dan tahun. Yang lain dengan denyut jantung, gairah, dan air mata. Tetapi ukuran sejati di bawah mentari adalah apa yang telah engkau lakukan dalam hidup ini untuk orang lain.

What is the good of being ready with the tongue? They who encounter men with smartnesses of speech for the most part procure themselves hatred. I know not whether he be truly virtuous, but why should he show readiness of the tongue?

The noble-minded are all-encompassing, not stuck in doctrines. Little people are stuck in doctrines.

Poor food and water for dinner, a bent arm for a pillow – that is where joy resides. For me, wealth and renown without honor are nothing but drifting clouds.

In following the Way, the noble-minded treasure three things: a manner free of violence and arrogance, a countenance full of sincerity and trust, a voice free of vulgarity and impropriety.