Confucius
Kong Qiu
551-479 BCE • Chinese
Chinese philosopher and teacher whose ethical and political teachings — preserved by his students in the Analects — became the foundation of Chinese civilization. His teaching centers on ren (humaneness), li (propriety), and the cultivation of the noble person.
Key Works
- Analects (trans. Legge 1893)
- Doctrine of the Mean
- Great Learning
111
quotes in library
Quotes by Confucius
111 quotes“Is there one word that can serve as a rule of practice for all one's life? — It is reciprocity.”
reciprocityAnalects 15.23
“What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”
reciprocityAnalects 12.2
“He who can practice five things everywhere is a man of complete virtue.”
virtueAnalects 17.6
“Gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.”
virtueAnalects 17.6
“If a man be grave, he will not be treated with disrespect.”
gravityAnalects 17.6
“If he be generous, he will win all.”
generosityAnalects 17.6
“If he be sincere, men will trust him.”
sincerityAnalects 17.6
“If he be earnest, he will accomplish much.”
earnestnessAnalects 17.6
“If he be kind, this will enable him to employ the services of others.”
kindnessAnalects 17.6
“It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.”
perseveranceAnalects (attributed)
“The cautious seldom err.”
prudenceAnalects 4.23
“He who learns but does not think is lost; he who thinks but does not learn is in danger.”
balanceAnalects 2.15
“By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.”
practiceAnalects 17.2
“The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come.”
vigilanceAnalects (attributed)
“When in a state of security, he does not forget the possibility of ruin.”
vigilanceAnalects
“Thus his person is not endangered, and his state and clans can be preserved.”
prudenceAnalects
“To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.”
courageAnalects 2.24
“Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.”
virtueAnalects 1.8
“Have no friends not equal to yourself.”
companyAnalects 1.8
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