Who Is Confucius Quotes & Sayings

A man who does not forget an agreement is resolved and honorable man. — Confucius

There is great power in focusing on what you want ... The person who tries to do everything accomplishes nothing. Most people try to be all things to everyone. And so they end up being nothing to anyone. Confucius nailed the point: "Person who chases two rabbits catches neither." — Robin Sharma

He who is harmony with Nature hits the mark without effort and apprehends the truth without thinking. — Confucius

Friendship with the upright, with the truthful and with the well informed is beneficial. Friendship with those who flatter, with those who are meek and who compromise with principles, and with those who talk cleverly is harmful. — Confucius

He who crosses the ocean twice without washing is a dirty double crosser. — Confucius

It is when those who are not strong enough have made some moderate amount of progress that they fail and give up ... — Confucius

The gods should certainly be revered, but kept at a distance ... The way is not beyond man; he who creates a way outside of man cannot make it a true way. A good man is content with changing man, and that is enough for him. — Confucius

To be fond of learning is to draw close to wisdom. To practice with vigor is to draw close to benevolence. To know the sense of shame is to draw close to courage. He who knows these three things knows how to cultivate his own character. Knowing how to cultivate his own character, he knows how to govern other men. Knowing how to govern other men, he knows how to govern the world, its states, and its families. — Confucius

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. — Confucius

If the gentleman is not serious, he will not be respected, and his learning will not be on a firm foundation. He considers loyalty and faithfulness to be fundamental, has no friends who are not like him, and when he has made mistakes, he is not afraid of correcting them. — Confucius

The highest kind of man is the one who does before talking and practices what he professes. — Confucius

Silence is a true friend who never betrays. — Confucius

It is no accident that, of the early Jesuit scholars who were pioneers in making China's culture known in Europe, those who concerned themselves with the Book of Changes were all later declared to be insane or heretic. Indeed, to the Chinese themselves the study of the I Ching is not to be taken lightly. By an unwritten law, only those advanced in years regard themselves as ready to learn from it. Confucius is said to have been seventy years old when he first took up the Book of Changes. — Hellmut Wilhelm

He who flatters a man is his enemy. he who tells him of his faults is his maker. — Confucius

A scholar who loves comfort is not fit to be called a scholar. — Confucius

He who dreams ... does not know he is dreaming ... Only when he awakens does he know he has dreamt. But there is also the great awakening (ta-chiao), and then we see that [everything] here is nothing but a great dream. Of course, the fools believe that they are already awake-what foolishness! Confucius and you, both of you, are dreams; and I, who tell you this, am also a dream. — Zhuangzi

The one who teaches is the giver of eyes. — Confucius

The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life. — Confucius

I sensed that Confucius is an interesting character. This is someone who lived over 2,500 years ago and is still speaking to us. That people are still reading and repeating what he said so long ago is something I find quite fascinating. — Russell Freedman

He who is really good can never be unhappy. He who is really wise can never be perplexed. He who is really brave is never afraid. — Confucius

To rein a kingdom efficiently it is necessary, before all, to put into good order the family. It's impossible for a man who doesn't know how to lead his own family to know how to lead a country. — Confucius

To govern is to correct. If you set an example by being correct, who would dare remain incorrect? — Confucius

If Confucius can serve as the Patron Saint of Chinese education, let me propose Socrates as his equivalent in a Western educational context - a Socrates who is never content with the initial superficial response, but is always probing for finer distinctions, clearer examples, a more profound form of knowing. Our concept of knowledge has changed since classical times, but Socrates has provided us with a timeless educational goal - ever deeper understanding. — Howard Gardner

He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior. — Confucius

One who is by nature daring and is suffering from poverty will not long be law-abiding. Indeed, any men, save those that are truly good, if their sufferings are very great, will be likely to rebel. — Confucius

He who is really kind, can never be unhappy — Confucius

I have not seen one who loves virtue as he loves beauty. — Confucius

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. — Confucius

What most distinguishes Confucius from other founders is that he inculcated a strict code of ethics, which has been respected ever since, but associated with very little religious dogma, which gave place to complete theological scepticism in the countless generations of Chinese literati who revered his memory and administered the Empire. — Bertrand Russell

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. — Confucius

I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there. — Confucius

Virtue is never left to stand alone. He who has it will have neighbors. — Confucius

It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family. — Confucius

Who keeps the old akindle and adds new knowledge is fitted to be a teacher. — Confucius

As Confucius once said, 'He who does nothing is the one who does nothing.'"
Gabby pondered the words, the furrowed her brow. "did Confucius really say that?"
Sunglasses in place, Stephanie managed the tiniest of shrugs. "No, but who cared? The point is, they handled, and most likely they found some sort of self-satisfaction in their industrious-ness. Who am I to deprive them of that? — Nicholas Sparks

The man who is master of himself drinks gravely and wisely. — Confucius

A man who lacks reliability is utterly useless. — Confucius

He who kisses girl on hillside is not level — Confucius

The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them. — Confucius

The Master said, "A true teacher is one who, keeping the past alive, is also able to understand the present."
(Analects 2.11) — Confucius

There is no body but eats and drinks. But they are few who can distinguish flavors. — Confucius

It is only the very wisest and the very stupidest who cannot change. — Confucius

Sincerity becomes apparent. From being apparent, it becomes manifest. From being manifest, it becomes brilliant. Brilliant, it affects others. Affecting others, they are changed by it. Changed by it, they are transformed. It is only he who is possessed of the most complete sincerity that can exist under heaven, who can transform. — Confucius

For this reason the gentleman will employ a man on a distant mission and observe his degree of loyalty, will employ him close at hand and observe his degree of respect. He will hand him troublesome affairs and observe how well he manages them, will suddenly ask his advice and observe how wisely he answers. He will exact some difficult promise from him and see how well he keeps it, turn over funds to him and see with what benevolence he dispenses them, inform him of the danger he is in and note how faithful he is to his duties. He will get him drunk with wine and observe how well he handles himself, place him in mixed company and see what effect beauty has upon him. By applying these nine tests, you may determine who is the unworthy man. — Confucius

There is good government when those who are near are made happy, and when those who are afar are attracted. — Confucius

It is goodness that gives to a neighborhood its beauty. One who is free to choose, yet does not prefer to dwell among the good - how can he be accorded the name of wise? — Confucius

The man who in view of gain thinks of righteousness; who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life; and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends - such a man may be reckoned a complete man. — Confucius

Great is the man who can overcome the
world, but greater still is the man who can
overcome himself, for he will have the world
spinning on the palm of his hand. — Confucius

When you make a promise consistent with what is right, you can keep your word. When you show respect consistent with good taste, you keep shame and disgrace at a distance. When he in whom you confide is one who does not fail his friends, you may trust him fully. — Confucius

He who is concerned only with the purity of his own life ruins the great human relations. — Confucius

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

There is a war out there, and believe me, Fly, it was never really between Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Crusaders and Confucius. The final battle is between those who love, respect, and liberate the body and those who hate it — Rawi Hage

A knight whose heart is set upon the Way, but who is ashamed of wearing shabby clothes and eating coarse food, is not worth calling into counsel. — Confucius

According to tradition, the originator of Taoism, Lao-tzu, was an older contemporary of Kung Fu-tzu, or Confucius, who died in 479 B.C.1 Lao-tzu is said to have been the author of the Tao Te Ching, a short book of aphorisms, setting forth the principles of the Tao and its power or virtue (Te e). But traditional Chinese philosophy ascribes both Taoism and Confucianism to a still earlier source, to a work which lies at the very foundation of Chinese thought and culture, dating anywhere from 3000 to 1200 B.C. This is the I Ching, or Book of Changes. — Alan W. Watts

I have never seen one who really loves goodness or one who really hates wickedness. One who really loves goodness will not place anything above it. One who really hates wickedness will practice goodness in such a way that wickedness will have no chance to get at him. Is there anyone who has devoted his whole strength to doing good for even as long as a single day? I have not seen anyone give up such an attempt because he had not the strength to go on. Perhaps there is such a case, but I have never seen it. — Confucius

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

The person who is not strong enough gives up at the halfway point - but you are limiting yourself before even starting. — Confucius

When the perfect order prevails, the world is like a home shared by all. Leaders are capable and virtuous. Everyone loves and respects their own parents and children as well as the parents and children of others. The old are cared for, adults have jobs, children are nourished and educated. There is a means of support for all those who are disabled or find themselves alone in the world. Everyone has an appropriate role to play in the family and society. Devotion to public duty leaves no place for idleness. Scheming for ill gain is unknown. Sharing displaces selfishness and materialism. — Confucius

A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it, is committing another mistake. — Confucius

That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate enough to be spared. — Confucius

Among us, in our part of the country, those who are upright are different from this. The father conceals the misconduct of the son, and the son conceals the misconduct of the father. Uprightness is to be found in this. — Confucius

The superior man accords with the course of the Mean. Though he may be all unknown, unregarded by the world, he feels no regret - It is only the sage who is able for this. — Confucius

The Master said, "A true gentleman is one who has set his heart upon the Way. A fellow who is ashamed merely of shabby clothing or modest meals is not even worth conversing with."
(Analects 4.9) — Confucius

Be loyal and trustworthy. Do not befriend anyone who is lower than yourself in this regard. — Confucius

A gentleman can withstand hardships; it is only the small man who, when submitted to them, is swept off his feet. — Confucius

Of neighborhoods, benevolence is the most beautiful. How can the man be considered wise who when he had the choice does not settle in benevolence. — Confucius

A man of humanity is one who, in seeking to establish himself, finds a foothold for others and who, in desiring attaining himself, helps others to attain. — Confucius

Confucius say ... politician is one who shakes your hand before elections and your confidence after. — Confucius

Those who understands is not better than those who appreciates, those who appreciates is not better than those who enjoys. — Confucius

A superior man is one who is free from fear and anxieties — Confucius

Who expects to be able to go out of a house except by the door? How is it then that no one follows this Way of ours? — Confucius

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? — Confucius

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. — Confucius

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

A man who reviews the old so as to find out the new is qualified to teach others. — Confucius

He Who Knows And Knows That He Knows Is A Wise Man - Follow Him;
He Who Knows Not And Knows Not That He Knows Not Is A Fool - Shun Him — Confucius

She who is born with beauty is born with a sorrow for many a man. — Confucius

When the Master entered the great temple he asked about everything. Someone said, 'Who will say that this son of the man of Zou knows about ritual? When he enters the temple, he asks about everything'. The Master heard of it and said, 'This is the ritual'. — Confucius

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors. — Confucius

Better than the one who knows what is right is the one who loves what is right. — Confucius

He is the truly courageous man who never desponds. — Confucius