Confucius (551–479 BCE) was a Chinese teacher, philosopher, and political theorist considered one of Chinese history’s most influential minds. He was not a religious leader; a follower once declared, “The Master never talked about spiritual beings, disorder, extraordinary things, or feats of strength.”
Born during the Zhou dynasty’s reign, near today’s Qufu in Shandong Province, Confucius’s original name was Kong Qiu. Later he was elevated to Kongfuzi (meaning “Master Kong” in recognition of his works,) which has come down to us as the Latinized Confucius.
Confucius was sent out to labor at age three to provide for his family after his father’s death. He took minor government jobs when he was a teenager and made an effort to search for erudite masters to educate him in the six arts: ritual, music, archery, chariot driving, calligraphy, and arithmetic. He then began to turn his thoughts to questions of morality and ethics.
Confucius’s primary ambition in life was to be a government administrator and put his philosophical ideas into action. But he became disenchanted with the activities of the rulers he served. He disapproved of what he observed as the moral degeneration of China after years of political conflict. He then became an itinerant teacher.
Much of Confucius’s work has survived as the Analects. His collection of sayings and ideas has survived through the Chinese oral tradition. His writings were first translated into English by the Scottish sinologist James Legge in 1867. Oxford University published a more understandable translation in 1907.
After Confucius’s death, Confucianism shaped the foundation for China’s state ideology and world philosophy. Confucius has dominated the thought and traditions of the Chinese for centuries, sometimes confronting but generally interrelating well with Buddhism and Daoism.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Confucius
To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.
—Confucius
Topics: Learning, Knowledge
It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family.
—Confucius
Topics: Family
To love a thing means wanting it to live.
—Confucius
Topics: Love
By three methods we may learn wisdom: first by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the most bitter.
—Confucius
Topics: Experience, Knowledge, Wisdom, Learning
Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.
—Confucius
Topics: Virtue
A superior man is the one who is free from fear and anxieties.
—Confucius
Topics: Fear
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
—Confucius
Topics: Proverbs, Failure, Perfection, Faults, Mistakes
There is good government when those who are near are happy, and when those who are far away desire to come.
—Confucius
Topics: Government
Men of principle are always bold, but those who are bold are not always men of principle.
—Confucius
Topics: Principles
Being in humaneness is good. If we select other goodness and thus are far apart from humaneness, how can we be the wise?
—Confucius
Topics: How to Live
Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!
—Confucius
Topics: Character
To know is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge.
—Confucius
Topics: Knowledge, Meaning
The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.
—Confucius
Topics: Father, Family, Fathers
The parents age must be remembered, both for joy and anxiety.
—Confucius
Topics: Family
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
Topics: Neighbors
A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?
—Confucius
Topics: Respect, Future, Youth
As in the case of making a mound, if, before the very last basketful, I stop, then I shall have stopped. As in the case of leveling the ground, if, though tipping only one basketful, I am going forward, then I shall be making progress.
—Confucius
Topics: Perseverance, Action
The Three Armies can be deprived of their commanding officer, but even a common man cannot be deprived of his purpose.
—Confucius
Topics: Vision, Purpose
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
Topics: Influence
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without
—Confucius
Topics: Music
The faults of a superior man are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.
—Confucius
Topics: Faults, Mistakes, Failure
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 that he has.
—Confucius
Topics: Humility, Ability, Stress, Love
The virtuous man is driven by responsibility; the non-virtuous man is driven by profit.
—Confucius
Topics: Virtue
We should worship as though the Deity were present. If my mind is not engaged in my worship, it is as though I worshipped not.
—Confucius
The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.
—Confucius
Topics: Nation, Family
Have no friends not equal to yourself.
—Confucius
Topics: Friendship, Friends and Friendship
The superior man is easy to serve and difficult to please.
—Confucius
Topics: Service
When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
—Confucius
Topics: Character
Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men.
—Confucius
Topics: Words
The superior man wishes to be slow in his words, and earnest in his conduct.
—Confucius
Topics: Moderation
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