1,153 Quotes by Confucius

Grieve not that men do not know you; grieve that you do not know men.

Be strict with yourself but least reproachful of others and complaint is kept afar.

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

Even in killing men, observe the rules of propriety.

The good man does not grieve that other people do not recognize his merits. His only anxiety is lest he should fail to recognize theirs.

Not to discuss with a man worthy of conversation is to waste the man. To discuss with a man not worthy of conversation is to waste words. The wise waste neither men nor words.

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.

Do not use a cannon to kill a mosquito.

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