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
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Zhuang Zhou Chinese Taoist Philosopher
- Laozi Chinese Philosopher
- Jianzhi Sengcan Chinese-Buddhist Monk
- Sun Tzu Chinese Military Leader
- Lin Yutang Chinese Author, Philologist
- Socrates Ancient Greek Philosopher
- Pythagoras Greek Philosopher
- Heraclitus Ancient Greek Philosopher
- Cicero Roman Philosopher
- Lucretius Roman Epicurean Philosopher
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