Confucius’s Quotes talk about his philosophy appreciated by the 18th-century Western enlightenment writers because his philosophy was independent of the firm beliefs of the Church.
Confucius is one of the most admired and potent philosophers of all time. He was Chinese by birth and is from the 6th century BCE. Confucianism is a way of life that he established through his popular social, moral, and ethical standards.
Confucius’s teaching helped in good governance and moral education in ancient China. His teachings are simple yet meaningful. Moreover, it gives pleasure to the readers. Zhu Xi codified the texts of Confucianism in the 12th century and classified them into four books.
The four books are named—The Great Learning, The Analects of Confucius, The Book of Mencius, and The Doctrine of the Mean. These books became widely popular in China, Korea, and Japan during the contemporary time.
Primarily his teachings were based on two significant aspects—rationalism and humanism.
So here we are providing a list of Confucius’s Quotes to make you aware of his timeless teachings.
15 Famous Confucius Quotes & Sayings
1. “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
2. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
3. “He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.”
4. “When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.”
5. “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”
6. “To see what is right and not do it is the want of courage.”
7. “Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.”
8. “He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”
9. “The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”
10. “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.”
11. “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
12. “To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.”
13. “The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.”
14. “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
15. “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
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Confucius’s Quotes on Life
1. “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” – Confucius
2. “When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inward and examine ourselves.” – Confucius
3. “The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.” – Confucius
4. “To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.” – Confucius
5. “We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.” – Confucius
6. “If we don’t know life, how can we know death?” – Confucius
7. “The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.” – Confucius
8. “He that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.” – Confucius
9. “To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.” – Confucius
10. “Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.” – Confucius
11. “A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door.” – Confucius
12. “When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.” – Confucius
13. “Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.” – Confucius
14. “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.” – Confucius
15. “Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?” – Confucius
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Confucius’s Quotes On Love
1. “Can there be a love which does not make demands on its object?” – Confucius
2. “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius
3. “To love a thing means wanting it to live.” – Confucius
4. “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
5. “Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.” – Confucius
6. “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
7. “Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.” – Confucius
8. “Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.” – Confucius
9. “A true gentleman is one who has set his heart upon the Way. A fellow who is ashamed merely of shabby clothing or modest meals is not even worth conversing with.” – Confucius
10. “The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.” – Confucius
11. “Is it not a pleasure, having learned something, to try it out at due intervals? Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar? Is it not gentlemanly not to take offense when others fail to appreciate your abilities?” – Confucius
12. “Among those who are near and dear to him, he does not stint love; among the men of the world, he does not stint respect.” – Confucius
13. “One should see nothing improper, hear nothing improper, say nothing improper, do nothing improper.” – Confucius
14. “To be fond of learning is to draw close to wisdom. To practice with vigor is to draw close to benevolence. To know the sense of shame is to draw close to energy. He who knows these three things knows how to cultivate his own character.” – Confucius
15. “Love is the most necessary of all virtues. Love in the person who commands it is a mistake, and in the person who is commanded, it is base.” – Confucius
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Funny Confucius Quotes
1. “Man who stands on toilet is high on pot.” – Confucius
2. “Man who drops watch in toilet has crappy time.” – Confucius
3. “Man who goes to bed with itchy butt wakes up with smelly finger.” – Confucius
4. “Man who eats many prunes get good run for money.” – Confucius
5. “Man who run in front of car get tired, man who run behind car get exhausted.” – Confucius
6. “Man who sneezes without tissue takes matters into his own hands.” – Confucius
7. “Man who drives like hell is bound to get there.” – Confucius
8. “He who fishes in another man’s well often catches crab.” – Confucius
9. “Man with one chopstick go hungry.” – Confucius
10. “Man who leap off cliff jump to conclusion.” – Confucius
11. “Passionate kiss like spider’s web – soon lead to undoing of fly.” – Confucius
12. “Man who lives in glass house should change clothes in basement.” – Confucius
13. “Man who walks middle of road gets run over by bus.” – Confucius
14. “Man who fights with wife all day gets no peace at night.” – Confucius
15. “People who make Confucius joke speak bad English.” – Confucius
16. “War doesn’t determine who’s right. War determines who’s left.” – Confucius
17. “Man who pushes piano down mineshaft gets tone of A flat miner.” – Confucius
18. “Man who gets kicked in testicles left holding bag.” – Confucius
19. “He who thinks only of number one must remember this number is next to nothing.” – Confucius
20. “Man who wants pretty nurse must be patient.” – Confucius