Confucius Quotes

“A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace.”

“A fool despises good counsel, but a wise man takes it to heart.”

“A happy union with wife and child is like the music of lutes and harps.”

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

“A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top.”

“A man who does not plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door.”

“A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake.”

“A man without a mustache is a man without a soul.”

“A man without persistence will never make a good shaman or a good physician.”

“A person who chases two rabbits catches neither.”

“A superior man in dealing with the world is not for anything or against anything. He follows righteousness as the standard.”

“A true gentleman is one who has set his heart upon the Way. A fellow who is ashamed merely of shabby clothing or modest meals is not even worth conversing with.”

“A true teacher is one who, keeping the past alive, is also able to understand the present.”

“A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?”

“Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.”

“Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old, and you may become a teacher of others.”

“Act with kindness, but do not expect gratitude.”

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

“And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.”

“As the water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it, so a wise man adapts himself to circumstances.”

“At home, a young man should be a good son, when outside he should treat others like his brothers, his behaviour should be one of trustworthy and proper, and should love the multitude at large and keep himself close to people of benevolence and morality. If after all these activities, he has any energy to spare, he should read widely to stay cultivated.”

“Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.”

“Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.”

“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”

“Behave toward everyone as if receiving a great guest.”

“Behind every smile there's teeth.”

“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”

“Boldness, without the rules of propriety, becomes insubordination.”

“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.”

“Charity, like the sun, brightens every object on which it shines.”