Quotes from Confucius

Insecurity is worse than poverty.

The noble-minded encourage what is beautiful in people and discourage what is ugly in them. Little people do just the opposite.

The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

The noble-minded have nine states of mind: for eyes, bright; for ears, penetrating; for countenance; cordial; for demeanor, humble; for words, trustworthy; for service, reverent; for doubt, questioning; for anger circumspect; and for facing a chance to profit, moral.

Among his own country folk Confucius wore a homely look, like one that has no word to say.

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

When words lose their meaning, people lose their freedom.

Study the past to define the future

Yin and yang, male and female, strong and weak, rigid and tender, heaven and earth, light and darkness, thunder and lightning, cold and warmth, good and evil…the interplay of opposite principles constitutes the universe.

When respect is shown according to what is proper, one keeps far from shame and disgrace.

The Master said, 'Respectfulness, without the rules of propriety, becomes laborious bustle; carefulness, without the rules of propriety, becomes timidity; boldness, without the rules of propriety, becomes insubordination; straightforwardness, without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness.

The Master said: 'Artful speech and an ingratiating demeanour rarely accompany virtue.

The ultimate revenge is living well and being happy. Hateful people can't stand happy people. Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves."-

Omul care nu se gândeste sau nu prevede lucrurile îndepartate are necazuri aproape

With coarse grain to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow: I still have joy in the midst of these things

Not to talk with people although they can be talked with is to waste people. To talk with people although they can't be talked with is to waste words. A man of understanding does not waste people, but he also does not waste words.

He that rules by mind is like the north star, steady in his seat, whilst the stars all bend to him.

He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.

I am not worried that nobody knows me. I seek to become fit to be known

If you look at their intentions, examine their motives, and scrutinize what brings them contentment – how can people hide who they are? How can they hide who they really are?

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

The noble minded act before speak, then they speak according to their actions.

Kebanggaan kita yang terbesar adalah bukang tidak pernah gagal, tetapi bangkit kembali setiap kali kita jatuh.

If you want to make a stand, help others make a stand, and if you want to reach your goal, help others reach their goal. Consider yourself and treat others accordingly: this is the method of Humanity.