The Great 50 Quotes and Sayings of Confucius
Confucius (Kung Fu Tzu)
Confucius (Kung Fu Tzu) was a famous Chinese great philosopher, political figure and teacher. He is widely considered as one of the most influential thinkers in Chinese history.
Confucius, also known as Kong Qiu or Kongzi, was a Chinese philosopher, teacher, and political figure who lived during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history, around 551-479 BCE. He is considered one of the most influential thinkers in Chinese history and his teachings, which emphasized ethics, morality, and proper conduct, have had a profound impact on Chinese culture and philosophy.
Confucius's ideas, recorded in the Analects, cover a wide range of topics including governance, education, family, and personal behavior. His philosophy, known as Confucianism, has been foundational in shaping the social, moral, and political values of East Asian societies for centuries.
Confucius was born on 551 BC in Zuo, Lu State, China. His teachings about thought and life greatly influenced many nations.
He then founded the Confucianism, the cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture whose main core is the humanism - the belief that human beings are teachable.
Confucius died on 479 BC in Qufo, Shandong Province, China. But his words and teachings forever lives in the heart of the people.
The Great 50 Quotes and Sayings of Confucius
1.Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
2. When anger rises, think of the consequences.
3. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
4. When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.
5. No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.
6. Our greatest glory is in never falling but in rising every time we fall.
7. Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?
8. Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
9. Study the past if you would define the future.
10. What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
11. Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
12. When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
13. It is not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs.
14. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
15. He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
16. Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.
17. Don't complain about the snow on your neighbor's roof when your own doorstep is unclean.
18. Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.
19. Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
20. 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.
21. If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
22. Silence is a true friend who never betrays.
23. Things that are done, it is needless to speak about…things that are past, it is needless to blame.
24. By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
25. 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.
26. Respect yourself and others will respect you.
27. Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.
28. The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
29. To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue... gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
30. Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.
31. He who will not economize will have to agonize.
32. To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.
33. Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.
34. The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.
35. 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.
36. The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.
37. He that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.
38. He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.
39. Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
40. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
41. If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.
42. He, who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.
43. The more man meditates upon good thoughts; the better will be his world and the world at large.
44. Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
45. Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
46. 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.
47. 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.
48. He who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own.
49. Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.
50. 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.
These quotes and sayings were written in the fourth century BC. But you see, until now, these words are still alive and it influenced us on our everyday lives. Sometimes, all we need is a little motivation to help us move on.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
