1,153 Quotes by Confucius

If we don't know life, how can we know death?

In the Book of Poetry there are three hundred poems, but the meaning of all of them may be put in a single sentence: Have no debasing thoughts.

When superiors are fond of showing their humanity, inferiors try to outstrip one another in their practice of it.

Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

It cannot be when the root is neglected that what springs from it will be well ordered.

I daily examine myself on three points: In planning for others, have I failed in conscientiousness? In intercourse with friends, have I been insincere? And have I failed to practice what I have been taught?

The vices come as passengers, visit us as guest and stay as masters.

A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

The virtuous man is driven by responsibility, the non-virtuous man is driven by profit.