A List of Famous Confucius Quotes

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

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

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.

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

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

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

Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in.

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 put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right.

It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.

Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

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

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

When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.

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

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.

Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue.

He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.

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

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

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

Faithfulness and sincerity are the highest things.

It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family.

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

The wheel of fortune turns round incessantly, and who can say to himself, I shall today be uppermost.

To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.

I have never seen a man as fond of virtue as of women.

To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.

Love thy neighbor as thyself: Do not to others what thou wouldn't not wish be done to thyself: Forgive injuries. Forgive thy enemy, be reconciled to him, give him assistance, invoke God in his behalf.

A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door.

When things are investigated, then true knowledge is achieved; when true knowledge is achieved, then the will becomes sincere; when the will is sincere, then the heart is set right ; when the heart is set right, then the personal life is cultivated; when the personal life is cultivated, then the family life is regulated; when the family life is regulated, then the national life is orderly; and when the national life is orderly, then there is peace in this world.

I am not concerned that I am not known, I seek to be worthy to be known.

The perfecting of one's self is the fundamental base of all progress and all moral development.

Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men.

Mankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.

A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake.

With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bent arm for a pillow -- I have still joy in the midst of all these things.

The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.

Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

Not to alter one's faults is to be faulty indeed.

The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.

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

When prosperity comes, do not use all of it.

The parents age must be remembered, both for joy and anxiety.

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