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

Tzu-kung asked, ‘Is there a single word which can be a guide to conduct throughout one’s life?’ The Master said, ‘It is perhaps the word ‘shu.’ Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
—Confucius
Topics: How to Live, Life, Love

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
—Confucius
Topics: Endurance, Perseverance, Resolve

Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.
—Confucius
Topics: Virtue

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
—Confucius
Topics: Love, Society, Work, Jobs

When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self.
—Confucius
Topics: Service

To be with God.
—Confucius
Topics: Heaven

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

Men’s natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.
—Confucius

Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.
—Confucius
Topics: Character

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

You can cheat an honest man but you can not make a fool out of him.
—Confucius

If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.
—Confucius
Topics: Happiness, Forethought, Sorrow

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.
—Confucius
Topics: Defects, Wickedness, Evil

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.
—Confucius
Topics: Sorrow, Happiness, Sadness

You cannot open a book without learning something.
—Confucius
Topics: Learning, Knowledge

The superior man is easy to serve and difficult to please.
—Confucius
Topics: Service

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

Superior men, and yet not always virtuous, there have been; but there never has been a mean man, and at the same time virtuous.
—Confucius

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

The superior man will watch over himself when he is alone. He examines his heart that there may be nothing wrong there, and that he may have no cause of dissatisfaction with himself.
—Confucius
Topics: Man, Character

The parents age must be remembered, both for joy and anxiety.
—Confucius
Topics: Family

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.
—Confucius
Topics: Perseverance, Ability, Expectation, Persistence

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

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
—Confucius
Topics: The Poor, Water, Poverty, Miscellaneous, Poor

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

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

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

Our headstrong passions shut the door of our souls against God.
—Confucius
Topics: Passion

Humility is the solid foundation of all the virtues.
—Confucius
Topics: Humility

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

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