Quotes & Sayings About Music By Confucius

Character is the backbone of our human culture. Music is the flowering of character. — Confucius

If a man is not good, what has he to do with the rules of propriety? If he is not good, what has he to do with music? — Confucius

The inner nature of man is the province of Music. — Confucius

Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. — Confucius

A happy union with wife and child is like the music of lutes and harps. — Confucius

There are three sorts of pleasures which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Finding pleasure in the discriminating study of ceremonies and music, finding pleasure in discussing the good points in the conduct of others, and finding pleasure in having many wise friends, these are advantageous. But finding pleasure in profligate enjoyments, finding pleasure in idle gadding about, and finding pleasure in feasting, these are injurious. — Confucius

A wise man seeks by music to strengthen his soul: the thoughtless one uses it to stifle his fears. — Confucius

The superior person tries to promote music as a means to the perfection of human culture. When such music prevails, and people's minds are led towards the right ideals and aspirations, we may see the appearance of a great nation. — Confucius

CHAP. III. The Master said, '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?' CHAP. — Confucius

Music is the one thing in which there is no use trying to deceive others or make false pretenses. — Confucius

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

Confucius himself has repeatedly taught that external appurtenances are as little a part of propriety as sounds are of music. — Inazo Nitobe

Let a man be stimulated by poetry, established by the rules of propriety, and perfected by music. — Confucius

When music and courtesy are better understood and appreciated, there will be no war. — Confucius

Be aroused by poetry; structure yourself with propriety, refine yourself with music. — Confucius

What can a man do with music who is not benevolent? — Confucius

Yes, but bad language is bound to make in addition bad government, whereas good language is not bound to make bad government. That again is clear Confucius: if the orders aren't clear they can't be carried out. Lloyd George's laws were such a mess, the lawyers never knew what they meant. And Talleyrand proclaimed that they changed the meaning of words between one conference and another. The means of communication breaks down, and that of course is what we are suffering now. We are enduring the drive to work on the subconscious without appealing to the reason. They repeat a trade name with the music a few times, and then repeat the music without it so that the music will give you the name. I think of the assault. We suffer from the use of language to conceal thought and to withhold all vital and direct answers. There is the definite use of propaganda, forensic language, merely to conceal and mislead. — Ezra Pound

It was by music that the ancient kings gave elegant expression to their joy. By their armies and axes they gave the same to their anger. — Confucius

On matters beyond his ken a gentleman speaks with caution. If names are not right, words are misused. When words are misused, affairs go wrong. When affairs go wrong, courtesy and music droop, law and justice fail. And when law and justice fail them, a people can move neither hand nor foot. So a gentleman must be ready to put names in speech, to put words into deeds. A gentleman is nowise careless of words. — Confucius

Wouldst thou know if a people be well governed, or if its laws be good or bad, examine the music it practices. — Confucius

Ah, music, sacred tongue of God! I hear thee calling and I come. — Confucius

If one should desire to know whether a kingdom is well governed, if its morals are good or bad, the quality of its music will furnish the answer. — Confucius

As the great Confucius said, "The one who would be in constant happiness must frequently change." Flow. But we keep looking back, don't we? We cling to things in the past and cling to things in the present ... Do you want to enjoy a symphony? Don't hold on to a few bars of the music. Don't hold on to a couple of notes. Let them pass, let them flow. The whole enjoyment of a symphony lies in your readiness to allow the notes to pass ... — Anthony De Mello

How to play music may be known. At the commencement of the piece, all the parts should sound together. As it proceeds, they should be in harmony while severally distinct and flowing without break, and thus on to the conclusion. — Confucius