Philosopher Quotes

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"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

"Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue."

-- Confucius

"Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue."

-- Confucius

"The more you know yourself, the less you are distracted by the praise or blame of others."

-- Confucius

"The more you know yourself, the less you are distracted by the praise or blame of others."

-- Confucius