Confucius: Quotable Quotes

Confucius was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher, whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese thought and life. Died 479 BC (aged 71–72).

• 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.
• It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.
• Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
• Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
• Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.
• 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 be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace.
• To see what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.
• All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
• The gentleman understands what is right,
  whereas the petty man understands profit.
• Settle one difficulty, and you keep a hundred away.
• Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
• If you don't want to do something,don't impose on others.
• What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
• Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.
• He who will not economize will have to agonize.
• To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.
• To be poor without murmuring is difficult.
  To be rich without being proud is easy.
• The cautious seldom err.
• Wise man adapts himself to circumstances.
• Think of tomorrow, the past can't be mended.
• Respect the gods and the devils but keep them at a distance.
• Learn avidly. Question it repeatedly. Analyze it carefully.
  Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently.
• If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.
• If things far away don’t concern you, you’ll soon mourn things close at hand.
• When everyone hates a person, you should investigate thoroughly,
  and when everyone loves a person, you should also investigate thoroughly.
• Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
• Artful speech and an ingratiating demeanor rarely accompany virtue.
• If you want to make a stand, help others make a stand, and if you want to reach your goal, help others reach their goal. Consider yourself and treat others accordingly: this is the method of Humanity.
• Characteristics of a superior man:— in his conduct of himself, he was humble; in serving his superiors, he was respectful; in nourishing the people, he was kind; in ordering the people, he was just.
• When words lose their meaning, people lose their freedom.
• Without the rules of propriety, respectfulness becomes laborious bustle; carefulness becomes timidity; boldness becomes insubordination; straightforwardness becomes rudeness.
• Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

A very wise quote is a spectacular waterfall!