Quotes About Wisdom

The Duke of Shê asked about government. The Master said, When the near approve and the distant approach.

He who is influenced neither by the soaking in of slander nor by the assault of denunciation may indeed be called illumined.

He whose wisdom brings him into power, needs Goodness to secure that power. Else, though he get it, he will certainly lose it.

He who does not understand the will of Heaven cannot be regarded as a gentleman. He who does not know the rites cannot take his stand. He who does not understand words, cannot understand people.

Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

Do not be too ready to speak of it [Goodness], lest the doing of it should prove to be beyond your powers.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

A man who does not plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door.

Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.

Do not use a cannon to kill a mosquito.

Drum sei kein schellenlauter Tor, denn rechter Sinn und Weisheit tragen sich von selber vor.

He does not preach what he practices till he has practiced what he preaches.

He who merely knows right principles is not equal to him who loves them.

He with whom neither slander that gradually soaks into the mind, nor statements that startle like a wound in the flesh, are successful may be called intelligent indeed.

Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.

There are three things to beware of through life: when a man is young, let him beware of his appetites; when he is middle-aged, of his passions; and when old, of covetousness, especially.

There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth...lust. When he is strong...quarrelsomeness. When he is old...covetousness.

They must change who would be constant in happiness and wisdom.

Things that are done, it is needless to speak about...things that are past, it is needless to blame.

To be fond of learning is to be near to knowledge. To practice with vigor is to be near to magnanimity. To possess the feeling of shame is to be near to energy. He who knows these three things, knows how to cultivate his own character.

To know that one knows what one knows, and to know that one doesn't know what one doesn't know, there lies true wisdom.

Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.

What the great learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.