Confucius

collection of quotes by Confucius

Here is a compilation of profound and timeless quotes from Confucius, the esteemed Chinese philosopher and educator whose insights on ethics, morality, and proper conduct persist in shaping East Asian culture and beyond:

On Wisdom and Learning:

“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.”
“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”
“He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”
“When you see a good person, think of becoming like them. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.”
“To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.”
“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”

On Life and Humanity:

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”
“The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

On Virtue and Goodness:

“The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration.”
“What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.”
“To see what is right and not do it is the want of courage.”
“Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.”
“If you want to be respected, you must respect yourself.”
“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.”

On Leadership and Government:

“He who rules by moral force is like the pole-star, which remains in its place while all the lesser stars do homage to it.”
“The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.”
“When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.”
“In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.”
“To lead an uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.”

On Friendship and Relationships:

“Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.”
“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 acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.”
“Silence is a true friend who never betrays.”
“A man should demand much from himself and little from others.”
“Isn’t it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned? Isn’t it also great when friends visit from distant places?”

On Self-Cultivation:

“When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.”
“The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.”
“He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.”
“To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.”
“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.”
“The superior man is aware of righteousness, the inferior man is aware of advantage.”

On Ethics and Moral Conduct:

“The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.”
“Respect yourself and others will respect you.”
“When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.”
“To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.”
“To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.”
“He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.”

On Happiness and Contentment:

“The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.”
“The more you know yourself, the more you forgive yourself.”
“The object of the superior man is truth.”
“The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.”
“Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.”

These quotes from Confucius embody his enduring teachings on self-discipline, morality, leadership, and humanity, all of which continue to steer individuals toward a more harmonious and virtuous existence.