He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good. You probably looking for famous quotes and sayings by Confucius, look no further as we have rounded up the best inspirational Confucius Quotes about life, family, education, and more.
These Confucius quotes will inspire you to become the best version of yourself. Also check Plato Quotes About Life, Love and Knowledge.
Who is Confucius:
Confucius was a renowned Chinese philosopher and teacher. He lived in the 6th century BCE and was the founder of the philosophical system known as ‘Confucianism’. It has had a profound influence on the culture and history of East Asia. Confucius believed in the importance of personal and governmental morality, the correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity. His philosophy and teachings have had a significant impact on not just China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam but also other East Asian nations.
Here are some unknown facts about Confucius:
- Confucius was not his real name. His real name was Kong Qui and “Confucius” is actually a Latinized version of his name.
- The Buddha and Confucius lived at the same time, and some historians speculate that they may have even personally interacted.
- Confucius believed in the importance of education, personal cultivation, and family. He believed that by nurturing strong family relationships, one could create a strong society.
- Confucius believed in the concept of ren, which refers to the ideal of treating others with kindness and respect.
One of the most influential philosophers and educators in human history, Confucius is still studied and adored in East Asia today.
A Collection of Inspiring Quotes by Confucius
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
If I walk with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.
In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.
Men’s natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.
When anger rises, think of the consequences.
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals; adjust the action steps.
Worry not that no one knows of you; seek to be worth knowing.
To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.
Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.
The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.
Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.
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.
To see what is right, and not to do it, is a want of courage or of principle.
He who acts with a constant view to his own advantage will be much murmured against.
The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.
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.
To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.
The essence of knowledge is, having it, applying it not having it, to confess your ignorance.
Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
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.
Worry not that no one knows you; seek to be worth knowing.
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be a failure.
Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.
Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
I slept and dreamt life is beauty, I woke and found life is duty.
Silence is a true friend who never betrays.
A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.
Confucius Quotes About Life
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.
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.
He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.
Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.
Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.
Anyone can find the switch after the lights are on.
He who learns but does not think is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.
A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?
Wealth and rank are what people desire, but unless they are obtained in the right way they may not be possessed.
Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than yourself.
A superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.
We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.
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 a man’s knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again.
Those who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which they themselves must pass.
The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.
Things that are done, it is needless to speak about…things that are past, it is needless to blame.
Those who know the truth are not equal to those who love it.
The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.
Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
The man who says he can and the man who says he can not… are both correct.
When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.
There are three things to beware of through life: when a man is young, let him beware of his appetites; when he is middle-aged, of his passions; and when old, of covetousness, especially.
Your life is what your thoughts make it.
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.
If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
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.
I slept and dreamt life is beauty, I woke and found life is duty.
Learn avidly. Question it repeatedly. Analyze it carefully. Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently.
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.
It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family. He who excels in his study can follow an official career.
The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.
He who works for his own interests will arouse much animosity.
You cannot open a book without learning something.
If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.
Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
No matter how busy you make think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.
Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.
If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; and if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.
The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.
Learn as if you were not reaching your goal and as though you were scared of missing it
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.
The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
A person who chases two rabbits catches neither
Love thy neighbor as thyself: Do not do to others what thou wouldst not wish to be done to thyself: Forgive injuries. Forgive thy enemy, be reconciled to him, give him assistance, invoke God on his behalf.
Wisdom delights in water; love delights in hills. Wisdom is stirring; love is quiet. Wisdom is merry; love grows old.
To know it is not as good as to love it, and to love it is not as good as to take delight in it.
There is the love of knowing without the love of learning; the beclouding here leads to the dissipation of the mind.
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.
Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. The desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly.
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals; adjust the action steps.
Be strict with yourself but least reproachful of others and complaint is kept afar.
It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.
