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

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.
Confucius
Topics: Virtue

To know is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge.
Confucius
Topics: Knowledge, Meaning

The grass must bend when the wind blows across it.
Confucius
Topics: Acceptance

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.
Confucius
Topics: Difficulty, Success, Courage, Virtue

To be with God.
Confucius
Topics: Heaven

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it — this is knowledge.
Confucius
Topics: Knowledge, Learning

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

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
Confucius
Topics: Self-Discovery, Happiness, Change

The superior man is firm in the right way, and not merely firm.
Confucius

The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.
Confucius
Topics: Father, Family, Fathers

Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.
Confucius
Topics: Fate, Destiny, How to Live

There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth … lust. When he is strong … quarrelsomeness. When he is old … covetousness.
Confucius
Topics: How to Live

When I am with others, they are my teachers. I can select their good points and follow them, and select their bad points and avoid them.
Confucius
Topics: Follow

Men of principle are always bold, but those who are bold are not always men of principle.
Confucius
Topics: Principles

The superior man honors his virtuous nature, and maintains constant inquiry and study, seeking to carry it out to its breadth and greatness, so as to omit none of the more exquisite and minute points which it embraces, and to raise it to its greatest height and brilliancy.
Confucius
Topics: How to Live

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

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.
Confucius
Topics: Learning, Teaching, Knowledge, Teachers, Education

The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live.
Confucius
Topics: Eating

The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.
Confucius
Topics: Faults, Mistakes

There is one single thread binding my way together…the way of the Master consists in doing one’s best…that is all.
Confucius
Topics: Kindness, Virtue, Goodness, Action, Excellence

With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow — I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a floating cloud.
Confucius
Topics: Happiness, Joy, Excitement

A superior man is the one who is free from fear and anxieties.
Confucius
Topics: Fear

You do not understand even life. How can you understand death?
Confucius
Topics: Death, Wisdom, Life

There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute. Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone.”
Confucius
Topics: Character

Words are the voice of the heart.
Confucius
Topics: One liners, Words

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
Topics: Character

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

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
Confucius
Topics: Revenge, Miscellaneous

Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!
Confucius
Topics: Character

When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine yourself.
Confucius
Topics: Reflection

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