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
If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
—Confucius
Topics: Conscience, Love, Worry, Heart
In speaking, it is best to be clear and say just enough to convey the meaning.
—Confucius
Topics: Meaning
The cautious seldom err.
—Confucius
Topics: Failure, Mistakes
The superior man is easy to serve and difficult to please.
—Confucius
Topics: Service
Things that are done, it is needless to speak about … things that are past, it is needless to blame.
—Confucius
Topics: Mistakes, Blame, Failure
To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.
—Confucius
Topics: Defects, Cowardice, Integrity, Courage, Coward
Have no friends not equal to yourself.
—Confucius
Topics: Friendship, Friends and Friendship
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: Excitement, Joy, Happiness
When you make a mistake, do not stop yourself correcting it.
—Confucius
Topics: Mistakes, Failure
The object of the superior man is truth.
—Confucius
Topics: Truth
To see what is right, and not do it, is want of courage, or of principle.
—Confucius
Topics: Character, Success, Perception, Right, Courage
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
—Confucius
Topics: Proverbs, Failure, Perfection, Faults, Mistakes
If the search for riches were sure to be successful, though I should become a groom with a whip in my hand to get them, I will do so. As the search may not be successful, I will follow after that which I love.
—Confucius
Topics: Riches
A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?
—Confucius
Topics: Youth, Future, Respect
When music and courtesy are better understood and appreciated, there will be no war
—Confucius
Topics: Music
A superior man is the one who is free from fear and anxieties.
—Confucius
Topics: Fear
The Master was entirely free from four things: prejudice, foregone conclusions, obstinacy, and egoism.
—Confucius
Topics: Man
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: Poverty, Miscellaneous, Water, The Poor, Poor
I am not concerned that I am not known, I seek to be worthy to be known.
—Confucius
Topics: Fame
The superior man examines his heart, that there may be nothing wrong there, and that he may have no cause for dissatisfaction with himself. That wherein the superior man cannot be equaled is simply this — his work which other men cannot see.
—Confucius
Topics: Love, Heart
Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in.
—Confucius
Topics: Inaction
It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family.
—Confucius
Topics: Family
If names are not correct, language will not be in accordance with the truth of things.
—Confucius
Topics: Names
When one cultivates to the utmost the principles of his nature, and exercises them on the principle of reciprocity, he is not far from the path.
—Confucius
Topics: How to Live
The superior man cannot be known in little matters, but he may be entrusted with great concerns. The small man may not be entrusted with great concerns, but he may be known in little matters.
—Confucius
Topics: Character
Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.
—Confucius
Topics: Virtue
To be with God.
—Confucius
Topics: Heaven
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.
—Confucius
Topics: Virtue
Is there any one maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one’s whole life? Surely the maxim of loving kindness is such: Do not unto others what you would not they should do unto you.
—Confucius
Topics: Kindness
To know what we know what we know, and that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.
—Confucius
Topics: Knowledge
When the Superior Man eats he does not try to stuff himself; at rest he does not seek perfect comfort; he is diligent in his work and careful in speech. He avails himself to people of the Tao and thereby corrects himself. This is the kind of person of whom you can say, ‘he loves learning.’
—Confucius
Topics: How to Live
If we don’t know life, how can we know death?
—Confucius
Topics: How to Live
The grass must bend when the wind blows across it.
—Confucius
Topics: Acceptance
They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.
—Confucius
Topics: Truth
Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.
—Confucius
Topics: Character
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: Ability, Stress, Love, Humility
It was by music that the ancient kings gave elegant expression to their joy. By their armies and axes they gave the same to their anger.
—Confucius
Topics: Anger, Blame
It is better to live in peace than in bitterness and strife
—Confucius
Topics: Bitterness
I have yet to meet a man as fond of high moral conduct as he is of outward appearances.
—Confucius
Topics: Appearance
Tsze-Kung asked, saying, “is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one’s life?” The Master said, “Is not Reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”
—Confucius
Topics: Words
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