Confucius Life Quotations

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your being.

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.

The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

If some years were added to my life, I would give fifty to the study of the Yi, and then I might come to be without great faults.

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

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, seek to be worthy of being known.

The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's OK. But you've got to shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot.

The true gentleman does not preach what he practices till he has practiced what he preaches.

We can know a person by observing his behaviour, understanding the reasons for his actions and ascertaining his intentions. If we do this, how can we not know him?

For benefits return benefits; for injuries return justice without any admixture of revenge.

When abroad, behaveto everyone as if interviewing an honored guest; in directing the people, act as if you were assisting at a great sacrafice; DO NOT DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD NOT LIKE DONE TO YOURSELF: so there will be no murmuring against you in the country, and none in the family; your public life will arouse no ill-will nor your private life any resentment.

Man is born with uprightness. If one loses it, he will be lucky if he escapes with his life.

Those who break down the dikes will themselves be drowned in the inundation.

There are three things to beware of through life: when a man is young, let him beware of his appetites; when he is middle-aged, of his passions; and when old, of covetousness, especially.

If I am building a mountain and stop before the last basketful of earth is placed on the summit, I have failed.

Time flows away like the water in the river.

If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening without regret.

Man who eat many prunes get good run for money.

The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man without trials.

Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established

To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order; we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.

If you devote your life to seeking revenge, first dig two graves.

Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.

The way out is through the door. Why is it that no one will use this method?

Signs and symbols rule the world, not words nor laws.

He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.

Respect yourself and others will respect you.

The man of wisdom is never of two minds; the man of benevolence never worries; the man of courage is never afraid.

When things are investigated, then true knowledge is achieved; when true knowledge is achieved, then the will becomes sincere; when the will is sincere, then the heart is set right ; when the heart is set right, then the personal life is cultivated; when the personal life is cultivated, then the family life is regulated; when the family life is regulated, then the national life is orderly; and when the national life is orderly, then there is peace in this world.

I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me;I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

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

A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it, is committing another mistake.

Consideration for others is the basic of a good life, a good society.