Wise sayings

[Confuscius]

Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.

 

[Confuscius]

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

 

[Confuscius]

What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others.

 

[Confuscius]

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

 

[Confuscius]

When a man's knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again.

 

[Confuscius]

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.

 

[Confuscius]

When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them

 

[Confuscius]

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.

 

[Confuscius]

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.

 

[Confuscius]

Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.

 

[Confuscius]

[The superior man] acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.

 

[Confuscius]

While you are not able to serve men, how can you serve spirits [of the dead]?...While you do not know life, how can you know about death?

 

[Confuscius]

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

 

[Confuscius]

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

 

[Confuscius]

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

 

[Confuscius]

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

 

[Confuscius]

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

 

[Confuscius]

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.

 

[Confuscius]

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

 

[Confuscius]

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

 

[Confuscius]

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

 

[Confuscius]

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

 

[Confuscius]

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

 

[Confuscius]

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

 

[Confuscius]

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.