Confucius

If you hate someone, then you are defeated by him.

The man who chases two rabbits, catches neither.

What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

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

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

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.

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.

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

You cannot open a book without learning something.

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

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

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

The cautious seldom err.

Heaven means to be one with God.

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

The object of the superior man is truth.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

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.

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

When anger arises, think of the consequences.

Do everything in moderation, even moderation.

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

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

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

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

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

A person who chases two rabbits catches neither.

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

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

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