Confucius is one of the most influential thinkers in history. His teachings and wisdom still resonate today, and his quotes are often quoted in modern culture. In this article, we will explore some of the most famous quotes attributed to Confucius and the profound insights they offer us.
We will look at why his words are so inspiring, how they can help guide our lives, and what lessons we can take from them. Below is the best Confucius quotes you can use to guide your life.
Confucius Quotes
Three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. – Confucius
To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short. – Confucius
Wherever you go, go with all your heart. – Confucius
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – Confucius
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. – Confucius
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. – Confucius
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When anger rises, think of the consequences. – Confucius
To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace. – Confucius
Roads were made for journeys, not destinations. – Confucius
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. – Confucius
We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression. – Confucius
To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge. – Confucius
He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions. – Confucius
And remember, no matter where you go, there you are. – Confucius
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change. – Confucius
The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live. – Confucius
The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. – Confucius
Study the past if you would define the future. – Confucius
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance. – Confucius
The Most Famous Confucius Quotes
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly.
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without. – Confucius
The funniest people are the saddest ones. – Confucius
Sincerity is the way of heaven.
The object of the superior man is truth.
What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
To understand yourself is the key to wisdom.
What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others.
Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.
Learn as if you were not reaching your goal and as though you were scared of missing it.
To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
Respect yourself and others will respect you.
To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.
The Best Confucius Quotes
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be failure.
Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
A lack of patience in trifling matters might lead to the disruption of great project.
The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.
Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
Straight-forwardness, without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness.
Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.
When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
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You cannot open a book without learning something.
I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.
Love is like a spice. It can sweeten your life – however, it can spoil it, too.
The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.
It is man that makes truth great, not truth that makes man great.
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.
Faithfulness and sincerity are the highest things.
The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.
Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.
The true gentleman does not preach what he practices till he has practiced what he preaches.
Silence is a true friend who never betrays.
Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.
Short Confucius Quotes
Anyone can find the switch after the lights are on.
Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
One joy dispels a hundred cares.
You are what you think.
He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.
Have no friends not equal to yourself.
Words are the voice of the heart.
Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly.
A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top.
Study the past, if you would divine the future.
To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.
They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.
To love a thing means wanting it to live.
He who will not economize will have to agonize.
A superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.
Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?
Can there be a love which does not make demands on its object?
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.
Inspirational Quotes By Confucius
The journey with a 1000 miles begins with one step.
Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.
The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat.
Sincerity is that whereby self-completion is effected, and its way is that by which man must direct himself.
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.
The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.
If you try to do too much, you will not achieve anything.
By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
True goodness springs from a man’s own heart. All men are born good.
Do not let a leader lead you on a bad path.
You can successfully force people to follow a certain course, but you cannot force them to understand it.
The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.
In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
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.
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.
First there must be order and harmony within your own mind. Then this order will spread to your family, then to the community, and finally to your entire kingdom. Only then can you have peace and harmony.
Deep Confucius Quotes
Knowing something is not as good as liking it. Liking something is not as good as rejoicing in it.
I slept and dreamt life is beauty, I woke and found life is duty.
Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
The way out is through the door. Why is it that no one will use this method?
When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
Ah, music, sacred tongue of God! I hear thee calling and I come.
If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.
Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.
Study without reflection is a waste of time; reflection without study is dangerous.
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
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.
Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life.
No matter how busy you make think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.
He with whom neither slander that gradually soaks into the mind, nor statements that startle like a wound in the flesh, are successful may be called intelligent indeed.
Confucius Sayings
A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?
The parents’ age must be remembered, both for joy and anxiety.
Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.
I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue would esteem nothing above it.
I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being.
To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content.
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.
When the multitude detests a man, inquiry is necessary; when the multitude likes a man, inquiry is equally necessary.
Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.
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.
If the gentleman is not serious, he will not be respected, and his learning will not be on a firm foundation. He considers loyalty and faithfulness to be fundamental, has no friends who are not like him, and when he has made mistakes, he is not afraid of correcting them.
There are three degrees of filial piety. The highest is being a credit to our parents, the second is not disgracing them; the lowest is being able simply to support them.
