Confucius Quotes

96 quotes in this collection

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Confucius

Confucius was a Chinese philosopher. Their most powerful quotes on life, success and human nature are collected here for daily inspiration and reflection.

96 quotes in this collection

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

-- Confucius

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

-- Confucius

"Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."

-- Confucius

"Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."

-- Confucius

"The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance."

-- Confucius

"The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance."

-- Confucius

"Virtue is more to man than either water or fire."

-- Confucius

"Virtue is more to man than either water or fire."

-- Confucius

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

-- Confucius

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

-- Confucius

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

-- Confucius

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

-- Confucius

"By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart."

-- Confucius

"By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart."

-- Confucius

"To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue: these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness."

-- Confucius

"To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue: these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness."

-- Confucius

"The commander of the forces of a large state may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him."

-- Confucius

"The commander of the forces of a large state may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him."

-- Confucius

"When you see a good man, think of emulating him; when you see a bad man, examine your own heart."

-- Confucius

"When you see a good man, think of emulating him; when you see a bad man, examine your own heart."

-- Confucius

"Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of him?"

-- Confucius

"Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of him?"

-- Confucius

"In the presence of a good man, think all the time how you may learn to equal him. In the presence of a bad man, turn your gaze within!"

-- Confucius

"In the presence of a good man, think all the time how you may learn to equal him. In the presence of a bad man, turn your gaze within!"

-- Confucius

"The grass must bend, when the wind blows across it."

-- Confucius

"The grass must bend, when the wind blows across it."

-- Confucius

"The cautious seldom err."

-- Confucius

"The cautious seldom err."

-- Confucius

"The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue."

-- Confucius

"The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue."

-- Confucius

"A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?"

-- Confucius

"A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?"

-- Confucius

"To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away."

-- Confucius

"To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away."

-- 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

"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

"Can there be a love which does not make demands on its object?"

-- Confucius

"Can there be a love which does not make demands on its object?"

-- Confucius

"Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness."

-- Confucius

"Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness."

-- Confucius

"Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles."

-- Confucius

"Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles."

-- Confucius

"The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not know him."

-- Confucius

"The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not know him."

-- Confucius

"Coarse rice for food, water to drink, and the bended arm for a pillow—happiness may be enjoyed even in these."

-- Confucius

"Coarse rice for food, water to drink, and the bended arm for a pillow—happiness may be enjoyed even in these."

-- Confucius

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

-- Confucius

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

-- Confucius

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked

Who is Confucius? +

Confucius was a Chinese philosopher. Their most powerful quotes on life, success and human nature are collected here for daily inspiration and reflection.

What is Confucius's most famous quote? +

One of Confucius's most widely shared quotes is: "Wherever you go, go with all your heart.".

What did Confucius say about wisdom? +

On wisdom, Confucius said: "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.".

What did Confucius say about integrity? +

On integrity, Confucius said: "What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.".

Why are Confucius's quotes popular? +

Confucius's quotes endure because they turn ideas about Wisdom, Integrity, Character, Mindfulness into clear, memorable language that is easy to relate to and share.

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