128 Famous Quotes by Confucius
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About Confucius
Confucius was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. The philosophy of Confucius emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. His followers competed successfully with many other schools during the Hundred Schools of Thought era only to be suppressed in favor of the Legalists during the Qin Dynasty. Following the victory of Han over Chu after the collapse of Qin, Confucius's thoughts received official sanction and were further developed into a system known as Confucianism.
Confucius is traditionally credited with having authored or edited many of the Chinese classic texts including all of the Five Classics, but modern scholars are cautious of attributing specific assertions to Confucius himself. Aphorisms concerning his teachings were compiled in the Analects, but only many years after his death.
Confucius's principles had a basis in common Chinese tradition and belief. He championed strong family loyalty, ancestor worship, respect of elders by their children of husbands by their wives. He also recommended family as a basis for ideal government. He espoused the well-known principle "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself", an early version of the Golden Rule.
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Tsze-Kung asked, "Is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life?" The Master said, "Is not Reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others
Behavior
Quotes, by Confucius
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In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
Country
Quotes, by Confucius
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The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.
Expectation
Quotes, by Confucius
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If I ever reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had expected to see there; and third, the greatest wonder of all, to find myself there
Heaven
Quotes, by Confucius
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The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance.
Ignorance
Quotes, by Confucius
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He who requires much from himself and little from others, will keep himself from being the object of resentment.
Resentment
Quotes, by Confucius
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The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
Suffering
Quotes, by Confucius
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To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue. They are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.
Virtue
Quotes, by Confucius
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When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.
Wisdom
Quotes, by Confucius
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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 most bitter.
Wisdom
Quotes, by Confucius
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There is the love of knowing without the love of learning; the
beclouding here leads to dissipation of mind.
Learning
Quotes, by Confucius , Source: Analects (bk. XVII, ch. VIII)
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