Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Confucius (Chinese Philosopher)

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: Knowledge, Learning

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
—Confucius

In all things success depends on previous preparation, and without such previous preparation there is sure to be failure.
—Confucius
Topics: Failure, Mistakes, Preparation, Strength

The superior man wishes to be slow in his words, and earnest in his conduct.
—Confucius
Topics: Moderation

The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.
—Confucius
Topics: Speech, General, Humility, Excellence, Action

There are three friendships which are advantageous: friendship with the upright, with the sincere, and with the man of much observation.—Friendship with the man of specious airs, with the insinuatingly soft, and with the glib-tongued, these are injurious.
—Confucius
Topics: Friendship

Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in.
—Confucius
Topics: Inaction

I have never seen a man as fond of virtue as of women.
—Confucius
Topics: Virtues, Virtue

If we don’t know life, how can we know death?
—Confucius
Topics: How to Live

Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.
—Confucius
Topics: Failure, Mistakes

The way of Heaven and Earth may be completely declared in one sentence: They are without any doubleness, and so they produce things in a manner that is unfathomable.
—Confucius

Among the appliances to transform the people, sound and appearances are but trivial influences.
—Confucius
Topics: Influence

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.
—Confucius
Topics: Greatness & Great Things, Achieving, Accomplishment, Patience, Achievement

There is good government when those who are near are happy, and when those who are far away desire to come.
—Confucius
Topics: Government

Act with kindness, but do not expect gratitude.
—Confucius
Topics: Gratitude

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.
—Confucius
Topics: Wisdom, Character, Compassion

The cautious seldom err.
—Confucius
Topics: Mistakes, Failure

Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.
—Confucius
Topics: Virtue

In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself.
—Confucius
Topics: Character

Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! Virtue is at hand.
—Confucius
Topics: Virtue

Men’s natures are alike; it is their habits that separate them.
—Confucius

When prosperity comes, do not use all of it.
—Confucius
Topics: Prosperity, Success & Failure

The virtuous man is driven by responsibility; the non-virtuous man is driven by profit.
—Confucius
Topics: Virtue

I have yet to meet a man as fond of high moral conduct as he is of outward appearances.
—Confucius
Topics: Appearance

I do not want a friend who smiles when I smile, who weeps when I weep, for my shadow in the pool can do better than that.
—Confucius
Topics: Friends, Friendship

Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, see to the worthy of being known.
—Confucius
Topics: Achievements

When you are laboring for others, let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.
—Confucius
Topics: How to Live

The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a position of wealth and honor, he does what is proper to a position of wealth and honor. In a poor and low position, he does what is proper to a poor and low position.
—Confucius
Topics: How to Live

It is not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs.
—Confucius
Topics: Attitude, Trouble, Failure, Appreciation

When we have intelligence resulting from sincerity, this condition is to be ascribed to nature; when we have sincerity resulting from intelligence, this condition is to be ascribed to instruction. But given the sincerity, and there shall be the intelligence; given the intelligence, and there shall be the sincerity.
—Confucius
Topics: Intelligence

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