Confucius Quotes: Born in 550 B.C. Confucius was a great ancient Chinese philosopher whose teachings remained in the archive of Chinese history. Also known as Kong Qiu, or Master Kong, Confucius’s teachings are still followed by future generations. Confucius was not only an educator but a divine soul that served the Chinese state, Duke of Lu. But it took many years for his teachings and sayings to be appreciated and acknowledge after his death. The Analects of Confucius is a great book carrying Confucius’s Ideologies and Philosophy. Here you’ll find the inspiring and life-changing Confucius quotes and sayings. Read and share these meaningful thoughts with your near and dear ones to spread love and tolerance.
Confucius’s life was full of struggles and was exiled from the state for over two decades. But still, he didn’t give up and kept spreading his teachings in the countryside. He inspires us to never stop in life no matter how slow we go. During his entire lifespan, Confucius spread wisdom about the importance of discipline, patience, perseverance, and hard work. Confucius’s philosophy is based on humanism, spiritualism, and socialism. Just go through our collection of Confucius’ proverbs that will definitely transform your life. We suggest bookmarking this page and reading his quotes on daily basis to feel the power of his deep thoughts.
Life-Changing Confucius Quotes
The object of the superior man is truth. -Confucius
To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace. – Confucius
I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being. – Confucius
To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short. – Confucius
Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon or star. – Confucius
What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others. – Confucius
Straight-forwardness, without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness. – Confucius
To understand yourself is the key to wisdom. – Confucius
How transcendent is the virtue of the middle conduct! Rare for a long time has been its practice among the people. – Confucius
When anger rises, think of the consequences. – Confucius
Love is like a spice. It can sweeten your life – however, it can spoil it, too. – Confucius
Three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. – Confucius
Silence is a true friend who never betrays. – Confucius
The true gentleman does not preach what he practices till he has practiced what he preaches. – Confucius
We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression. – Confucius
When the multitude detests a man, inquiry is necessary; when the multitude likes a man, inquiry is equally necessary. – Confucius
If you try to do too much, you will not achieve anything. – Confucius
Base yourself in loyalty and trust. Don’t be a companion with those who are not your moral equal. When you make a mistake, don’t hesitate to correct it. – Confucius
The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress. – Confucius
Anyone can find the switch after the lights are on. – Confucius
Sincerity is that whereby self-completion is effected, and its way is that by which man must direct himself. – Confucius
Confucius Say Quotes
I’d rather die for speaking out, than to live and be silent. – Confucius
To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content. – Confucius
It is man that makes truth great, not truth that makes man great. – Confucius
Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean. – Confucius
He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior. – Confucius
Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly. – Confucius
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous. – Confucius
By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart. – Confucius
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions. – Confucius
Sincerity is the way of heaven. – Confucius
The people may be made to follow a path of action but they may not be made to understand it. – Confucius
The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live. – Confucius
Those who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which they themselves must pass. – Confucius
A man of wisdom delights in water. – Confucius
Roads were made for journeys, not destinations. – Confucius
If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening without regret. – Confucius
When wealth is centralized, the people are dispersed. When wealth is distributed, the people are brought together. – Confucius
The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools. – Confucius
Faithfulness and sincerity are the highest things. – Confucius
To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness. – Confucius
A lack of patience in trifling matters might lead to the disruption of great project. – Confucius
To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away. – Confucius
Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes. – Confucius
To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it. – Confucius
To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness. – Confucius
There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute. – Confucius
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. – Confucius
Let the states of equilibrium and harmony exist in perfection, and a happy order will prevail throughout heaven and earth, and all things will be nourished and flourish. – Confucius
Words are the voice of the heart. – Confucius
I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue would esteem nothing above it. – Confucius
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without. – Confucius
Do not let a leader lead you on a bad path. – Confucius
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Confucius Quotes About Life
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. – Confucius
Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself. – Confucius
The man who says he can, and the man who says he cannot… are both correct. – Confucius
The journey with a 1000 miles begins with one step. – Confucius
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
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good. – Confucius
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. – Confucius
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others. – Confucius
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. – Confucius
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance. – Confucius
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. – Confucius
Your life is what your thoughts make it. – Confucius
Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished. – Confucius
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – 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
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. – Confucius
Confucius Famous Quotes
If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake. – Confucius
You can successfully force people to follow a certain course, but you cannot force them to understand it. – Confucius
Study without reflection is a waste of time; reflection without study is dangerous. – Confucius
Learn avidly. Question it repeatedly. Analyze it carefully. Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently. – Confucius
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. – Confucius
Study the past, if you would divine the future. – Confucius
Ah, music, sacred tongue of God! I hear thee calling and I come. – Confucius
A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present? – Confucius
They must often change who would remain constant in happiness and wisdom. – Confucius
Knowing something is not as good as liking it. Liking something is not as good as rejoicing in it. – Confucius
One joy dispels a hundred cares. – Confucius
The parents’ age must be remembered, both for joy and anxiety. – Confucius
You are what you think. – Confucius
I slept and dreamt life is beauty, I woke and found life is duty. – Confucius
Can there be a love which does not make demands on its object? – Confucius
There are three degrees of filial piety. The highest is being a credit to our parents, the second is not disgracing them; the lowest is being able simply to support them. – Confucius
No matter how busy you make think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance. – Confucius
Have no friends not equal to yourself. – Confucius
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Funny Confucius Quotes
Passionate kisses like a spider’s web soon lead to the undoing of flies. – Confucius
Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts? – Confucius
If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room. – Confucius
The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell. – Confucius
A person who chases two rabbits catches neither. – Confucius
Some are born with knowledge, some derive it from the study, and some acquire it only after a painful realization of their ignorance. – Confucius
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. – Confucius
If you can’t convince them, confuse them. – Confucius
An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger. – Confucius
He who fishes in other man’s well often catches crabs. – Confucius
Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star. – Confucius
And remember, no matter where you go, there you are. – Confucius
The way out is through the door. Why is it that no one will use this method? – Confucius
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbours. – 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 a spectator. – Confucius
When a wise man points at the moon, the imbecile examines the finger. – Confucius
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change. – Confucius
He who learns but does not think is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger. – Confucius
There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is a reflection, which is the highest. The second is a limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest. – Confucius
The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat. – Confucius
The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life. – Confucius
Confucius Quotes About Love
When music and courtesy are better understood and appreciated, there will be no war. – Confucius
The perfecting of one’s self is the fundamental base of all progress and all moral development. – Confucius
Wherever you go, go with all your heart. – Confucius
Can there be a love that does not make demands on its object? – Confucius
To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage or principle. – Confucius
Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire. – Confucius
If you have loved someone and then fell out of love with them, it is possible to fall back in love with them, but only if they were not the reason you fell out of love with them. – Confucius
Fix your mind on truth, hold firm to virtue, rely on loving-kindness, and find your recreation in the Arts. – Confucius
Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude. – Confucius
Charity, like the sun, brightens every object on which it shines. – Confucius
True goodness springs from a man’s own heart. All men are born good. – Confucius
The most successful relationships consist of compromises regarding expectations; all expectations are not equal, and therefore in each case, one must judge the level of their individual desires. – Confucius
A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top. – Confucius
Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. – Confucius
If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear? – Confucius
It is better to light one small candle of gratitude than to curse the darkness. – Confucius
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
The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large. – Confucius
Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. – Confucius
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Confucius Quotes About Success
When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself. – Confucius
The archer who misses his mark does not blame the target. He stops, corrects himself, and shoots again. – Confucius
The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. – Confucius
To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage, or of principle. – Confucius
The will to win, the desire to succeed, and the urge to reach your full potential, these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. – Confucius
Of course, you want to be rich and famous. It’s natural. Wealth and fame are what every man desires. The question is, what are you willing to trade for it?
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be failure. – Confucius
Confucius Quotes on Death
If we don’t know life, how can we know death? – Confucius
Never ignore your parents’ ages, which are both a source of joy (because they are still living) and a source of anxiety (because their deaths are coming nearer).
When your father is alive, obey him. When your father has passed on, live as he did. If you do so for [at least] three years after your father’s death, then you are a true son.
Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven. – Confucius
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Wisdom Confucius Quotes
I will not be concerned at other men’s not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability. – Confucius
The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort. – Confucius
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. – Confucius
Ability will never catch up with the demand for it. – Confucius
They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. – Confucius
To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it. – Confucius
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors. – Confucius
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. – Confucius
The man of wisdom is never of two minds, the man of benevolence never worries, the man of courage is never afraid. – Confucius
The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them. – Confucius
Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs. – Confucius
Confucius Quotes on Education
The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance. – Confucius
Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old, and you may become a teacher of others. – Confucius
Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace. – Confucius
When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self. – Confucius
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is the noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. – Confucius
When I walk along with two others, from at least one I will be able to learn. – Confucius
It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family. – Confucius
Every truth has four corners: as a teacher, I give you one corner, and it is for you to find the other three. – Confucius
Knowledge is recognizing what you know and what you don’t. – Confucius
Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it. – Confucius
Final Words:
Today, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are three religious pillars of China. Confucianism is based on the principles of moral conduct, mutual respect, and family ties. His views and deep insights stand true for every aspect of life. Confucius’s sayings inspire us to see the beauty in everything. You’ll definitely feel enlightened and optimistic reading our great selection of Confucius quotes and sayings about life. This great thinker encourages us to live life in a simple way than making it complicated with our own thoughts. It’s important to realize the value of life. Well, Confucius’s quotes will definitely help you do that. Here is the list of motivational, wisest, and meaningful quotes by Confucius.
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