Confucius - Quodid

About

Picture of Confucius

Confucius (c. 551 – c. 479 BCE), born Kong Qiu, was a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period who is traditionally considered the paragon of Chinese sages. Much of the shared cultural heritage of the Sinosphere originates in the philosophy and teachings of Confucius. His philosophical teachings, called Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, harmonious social relationships, righteousness, kindness, sincerity, and a ruler's responsibilities to lead by virtue.

Quotes from Confucius

While you are not able to serve men, how can you serve spirits [of the dead]?… While you do not know life, how can you know about death?

Respect yourself and others will respect you.

The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved.

The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration.

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

future past prediction the future the past

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.

Life leads the thoughtful man on
a path of many windings.
Now the course is checked,
now it runs straight again.
Here winged thoughts may pour
freely forth in words,
There the heavy burden of knowledge
must be shut away in
silence.
But when two people are at one
in their inmost hearts,
They shatter even the strength of iron or of bronze.
And when two people understand
each other in their inmost hearts,
Their words are sweet and strong,
like the fragrance of orchids.

With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow—I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a floating cloud.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

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