Confucius

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and ...
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To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue, these five are gravity, generosity of soul, ...
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Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.

If we don't know life, how can we know death?

A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

A youth, when at home, should be filial and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies.

Death and life have their determined appointments, riches and honors depend upon heaven.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest, Second, by imitation, which is easiest, and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

He who acts with a constant view to his own advantage will be much murmured against.

Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

How to play music may be known. At the commencement of the piece, all the parts should sound together. As it proceeds, they should be in harmony while severally distinct and flowing without break, and thus on to the conclusion.

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge, I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.

Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.

If we don't know life, how can we know death?

If some years were added to my life, I would give fifty to the study of the Yi, and then I might come to be without great faults.

I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me, I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

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.

If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?

It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve, and bad things are very easy to get.

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

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, seek to be worthy of being known.

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

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

Learning without thought is labor lost, thought without learning is perilous.

Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.

Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.

Look not at what is contrary to propriety, listen not to what is contrary to propriety, speak not what is contrary to propriety, make no movement which is contrary to propriety.

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger, give, if thou art asked for little, by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

The expectations of life depend upon diligence, the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

The cautious seldom err.

The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.

The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them, they change and everyone looks up to them.

The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.

The object of the superior man is truth.

The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

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.

The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he cleaves to it. In seasons of danger, he cleaves to it.

The superior man understands what is right, the inferior man understands what will sell.

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest, success only comes later.

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.

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.

To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue, these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.

To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity, economy in expenditure, and love for men, and the employment of the people at the proper seasons.

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

To those whose talents are above mediocrity, the highest subjects may be announced. To those who are below mediocrity, the highest subjects may not be announced.

To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.

Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.

When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them, when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

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.

Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.