Confucius, born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu (modern-day Shandong, China), was a philosopher, teacher, and political figure whose teachings have deeply influenced Chinese culture and philosophy. Despite facing personal hardships and political challenges, he dedicated his life to promoting ethical values, social harmony, and the importance of education.
His philosophy, known as Confucianism, emphasizes respect for tradition, family bonds, and the cultivation of personal virtues. Confucius’s thoughts on life, love, governance, and wisdom continue to inspire and guide individuals and societies worldwide today.
Confucius Quotes on Life
We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.
Confucius
If we don't know life, how can we know death?
Confucius
Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.
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
Roads were made for journeys, not destinations.
Confucius
To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content.
Confucius
Confucius Quotes on Love
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.
Confucius
Love is like a spice. It can sweeten your life - however, it can spoil it, too.
Confucius
To love a thing means wanting it to live.
Confucius
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.
Confucius
Love thy neighbor as thyself: Do not do to others what thou wouldst not wish be done to thyself: Forgive injuries.
Confucius
Can there be a love that does not make demands on its object?
Confucius
Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
Confucius
Confucius Quotes on Character and Growth
The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.
Confucius
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.
Confucius
When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.
Confucius
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Confucius
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
Confucius
What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others.
Confucius
If you try to do too much, you will not achieve anything.
Confucius
Men's natures are alike; it is their habits that separate them.
Confucius
It is man that makes truth great, and not truth that makes man great.
Confucius
He who is really kind, can never be unhappy.
Confucius
I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your being.
Confucius
Confucius Quotes on Knowledge
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.
Confucius
To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.
Confucius
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.
Confucius
To know and not do is to not yet know.
Confucius
Learn as if you were not reaching your goal and as though you were scared of missing it.
Confucius
A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace.
Confucius
Learning without thought is a labor lost; thought without learning is perilious.
Confucius
Confucius Quotes on Wisdom
Do not use a cannon to kill a mosquito.
Confucius
Straightforwardness without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness.
Confucius
It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.
Confucius
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 bitterest.
Confucius
To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.
Confucius
Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly.
Confucius
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Confucius
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
Confucius
Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.
Confucius
To see what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.
Confucius
The archer who misses his mark does not blame the target. He stops, corrects himself, and shoots again.
Confucius
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Confucius
The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterward speaks according to his actions.
Confucius
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