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Quotes by Confucius

Quotes by Confucius

All the darkness in the world can't put out the light of one candle.

 

The superior man is intelligently, not blindly, faithful.

 

Think no vice so small that you may commit it, and no virtue so small that you may over look it.

 

Reviewing what you have learned and learning anew, you are fit to be a teacher.

 

Only through education does one come to be dissatisfied with his own knowledge, and only through teaching others does one come to realize the uncomfortable inadequacy of his knowledge. Being dissatisfied with his own knowledge, one then realizes that the trouble lies with himself, and realizing the uncomfortable inadequacy of his knowledge one then feels stimulated to improve himself. Therefore, it is said, "the processes of teaching and learning stimulate one another."

 

From the loving example of one family a whole State may become loving, and from its courtesies, courteous; while from the ambition and perverseness of the one man the whole State may be thrown into rebellious disorder. Such is the nature of influence.

 

Be strict with yourself but least reproachful of others and complaint is kept afar.

 

From a grain of sand in the Pearl comes.

 

I do not enlighten those who are not eager to learn, nor arouse those who are not anxious to give an explanation themselves. If I have presented one corner of the square and they cannot come back to me with the other three, I should not go over the points again.

 

 The superior person tries to promote music as a means to the perfection of human culture. When such music prevails, and people's minds are led towards the right ideals and aspirations, we may see the appearance of a great nation.

 

A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present? If he reach the age of forty or fifty, and has not made himself heard of, then indeed he will not be worth being regarded with respect.

 

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.

 

The person who is not strong enough gives up at the halfway point - but you are limiting yourself before even starting.

 

 Sincerity is that whereby self-completion is effected, and its way is that by which man must direct himself.

 

If what one has to say is not better than silence, then one should keep silent.

 

What the great learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.

 

 The superior man, while his parents are alive, reverently nourishes them; and, when they are dead, reverently sacrifices to them. His thought to the end of his life is how not to disgrace them.

 

Be sincere and true to your word, serious and careful in your actions; and you will get along even among barbarians, But if you are not sincere and untrustworthy in your speech, frivolous and careless in your actions, how will you get along even among your own neighbors? When stand, see these principles in front of you; in your carriage see them on the yoke. Then you may be sure to get along.

 

Happiness does not consist in having what you want, but in wanting what you have

 

One who can move mountains start with the little stones.

 

Wouldst thou know if a people be well governed, or if its laws be good or bad, examine the music it practices.

 

The gentleman prefers to be slow in word but diligent in action.

 

Future generation is the most important thing.

 

A picture is poem without words.

 

The gentleman holds justice to be of highest importance. If a gentleman has courage but neglects justice, he becomes insurgent. If an inferior man has courage but neglects justice, he becomes a thief.

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