Confucius

We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.

— Confucius

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

— Confucius

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.

— Confucius

The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.

— Confucius

Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.

— Confucius

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

— Confucius

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

— Confucius

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

— Confucius

While seeking revenge, dig two graves - one for yourself.

— Confucius

To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.

— Confucius

The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.

— Confucius

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

— Confucius

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

— Confucius

I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your being.

— Confucius

Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?

— Confucius

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.

— Confucius

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

— Confucius

To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.

— Confucius

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

— Confucius

The cautious seldom err.

— Confucius

It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.

— Confucius

It is not good to be too free. It is not good to have everything one wants.

— Confucius

A man is great not because he hasn't failed; a man is great because failure hasn't stopped him.

— Confucius

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

— Confucius

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.

— Confucius

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

— Confucius

Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.

— Confucius

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.

— Confucius

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

— Confucius

The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

— Confucius

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

— Confucius

Heaven means to be one with God.

— Confucius

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.

— Confucius

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

— Confucius

A great man is hard on himself; a small man is hard on others.

— Confucius

A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

— Confucius

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

— Confucius

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

— Confucius

If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.

— Confucius

I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.

— Confucius

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

— Confucius

It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.

— Confucius

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

— Confucius

The superior man blames himself. The inferior man blames others.

— Confucius

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.

— Confucius

To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.

— Confucius

It doesn’t matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop.

— Confucius

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.

— Confucius

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

— Confucius

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

— Confucius

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.

— Confucius

To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.

— Confucius

To those whose talents are above mediocrity, the highest subjects may be announced. To those who are below mediocrity, the highest subjects may not be announced.

— Confucius

The object of the superior man is truth.

— Confucius

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.

— Confucius

The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.

— Confucius

The cucumber is bitter? Then throw it out. There are brambles in the path? Then go around. That’s all you need to know.

— Confucius

The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

— Confucius

Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.

— Confucius

If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?

— Confucius

Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.

— Confucius

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.

— Confucius

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

— Confucius

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

— Confucius

Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.

— Confucius

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

— Confucius

When anger arises, think of the consequences.

— Confucius

A person who chases two rabbits catches neither.

— Confucius

When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

— Confucius

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.

— Confucius

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

— Confucius

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

— Confucius

If we don't know life, how can we know death?

— Confucius

He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

— Confucius

You cannot open a book without learning something.

— Confucius

When anger rises, think of the consequences.To be angry is to revenge the faults of others on ourselves.

— Confucius

Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

— Confucius

Do everything in moderation, even moderation.

— Confucius

A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.

— Confucius