Quotes from Confucius

What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others.

He who seeks only coarse food to eat, water to drink, and bent arm for pillow, will without looking for it find happiness to boot. Any thought of accepting wealth and rank by means that I know to be wrong is as remote from me as the clouds that float above.

A young man's duty is to behave well to his parents at home and to his elders abroad.

To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.

A man whoTreats his betters as betters,Wears an air of respect,Who into serving father and motherKnows how to put his whole strength,Who in the service of his prince will lay down his life,Who in intercourse with friends is true to his word—others may say of him that he still lacks education, but I for my part should certainly call him an educated man.

Silence is the true friend that never betrays.

To go too far is as bad as not to go far enough.

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability he has.

Moral force never dwells in solitude; it will always bring neighbors.

In the morning, hear the Way; in the evening, die content!

Meet resentment with upright dealing and meet inner power with inner power.

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

Till you have learned to serve men, how can you serve ghosts? Till you know about the living, how are you to know about the dead?

Imperturbable, resolute, tree-like, slow to speak—such a one is near to Goodness.

First and foremost he must learn to be faithful to his superiors, to keep promises, to refuse the friendship of all who are not like him. And if he finds he has made a mistake, then he must not be afraid of admitting the fact and amending his ways.

By nature, near together; by practice far apart.

He who rules by moral force is like the pole-star, which remains in its place while all the lesser stars do homage to it.

The funniest people are the saddest once

He who does not economize will have to agonize.

There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.

The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man without trials.

Chi Wen Tzu always thought three times before taking action. Twice would have been quite enough.

If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening without regret.

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.