1,153 Quotes by Confucius

What is necessary is to rectify names.

A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon others.

Sir, in carrying on your government, why should you use killing at all? Let your evinced desires be for what is good, and the people will be good. The relation between superiors and inferiors is like that between the wind and the grass. The grass must bend, when the wind blows across it.

To see what is right, and not do it, is want of courage, or of principle

He Who Knows And Knows That He Knows Is A Wise Man - Follow Him; He Who Knows Not And Knows Not That He Knows Not Is A Fool - Shun Him

I am not bothered by the fact that I am unknown. I am bothered when I do not know others.

When a person should be spoken with, and you don't speak with them, you lose them. When a person shouldn't be spoken with and you speak to them, you waste your breath. The wise do not lose people, nor do they waste their breath.

Do not worry if others do not understand you. Instead worry if you do not understand others.

Men of principle are sure to be bold, but those who are bold may not always be men of principle.