140 Confucius Quotes to Guide You in Life

There is a growing interest in Confucianism in China and other parts of the world. Confucius’ philosophies remained in the archives of ancient Chinese history.  Confucius’ thoughts and ideals stand true even today. As his teachings spread far and wide, his philosophies gained ground. It took many years after Confucius’ death for his philosophies to be appreciated and revered, but today, Confucianism is an ethical school of thought adopted by many thinkers around the world. Here are the some of the Confucius Quotes to guide you in life.

Confucius Quotes

1. “If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” ~ Confucius

2. “Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.” ~ Confucius

3. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” ~ Confucius

4. “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.” ~ Confucius

5. “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ~ Confucius

6. “Roads were made for journeys not destinations.” ~ Confucius

7. “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” ~ Confucius

8. “Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.” ~ Confucius
9. “He who acts with a constant view to his own advantage will be much murmured against.” ~ Confucius
10. “To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quote

11. “Worry not that no one knows you; seek to be worth knowing.” ~ Confucius
12. “I slept and dreamt life is beauty, I woke and found life is duty.” ~ Confucius
13. “Think of tomorrow, the past can’t be mended.” ~ Confucius
14. “Respect yourself and others will respect you.” ~ Confucius
15. “A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.” ~ Confucius

16. “To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.” ~ Confucius
17. “By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.” ~ Confucius
18. “The essence of knowledge is, having it, to use it.” ~ Confucius
19. “Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.” ~ Confucius
20. “To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace.” ~ Confucius

Inspiring Short Quotes by Confucius

21. “Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.” ~ Confucius
22. “Study the past if you would define the future.” ~ Confucius
23. “Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.” ~ Confucius
24. “Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.” ~ Confucius
25. “He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.” ~ Confucius
26. “Those who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which they themselves must pass.” ~ Confucius
27. “Those who know the truth are not equal to those who love it.” ~ Confucius
28. “The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.” ~ Confucius
29. “Learn as if you were not reaching your goal and as though you were scared of missing it.” ~ Confucius
30. “We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes and Sayings

31. “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.” ~ Confucius
32. “Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.” ~ Confucius
33. “The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.” ~ Confucius
34. “The man who says he can and the man who says he can not… are both correct.” ~ Confucius
35. “Your life is what your thoughts make it.” ~ Confucius
36. “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” ~ Confucius
37. “The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.” ~ Confucius
38. “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
39. “All people are the same; only their habits differ.” ~ Confucius
40. “Learn avidly. Question it repeatedly. Analyze it carefully. Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently.” ~ Confucius

Quotes from Confucius

41. “Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.” ~ Confucius
42. “The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he cleaves to it. In seasons of danger, he cleaves to it.” ~ Confucius
43. “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
44. “Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.” ~ Confucius
45. “The journey with 1000 miles begins with one step.” ~ Confucius
46. “An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.” ~ Confucius
47. “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ~ Confucius
48. “You are what you think.” ~ Confucius
49. “Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.” ~ Confucius
50. “The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.” ~ Confucius

Best Confucius Quotes

51. “If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.” ~ Confucius
52. “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” ~ Confucius
53. “To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.” ~ Confucius
54. “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
55. “A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.” ~ Confucius
56. “They must often change who would remain constant in happiness and wisdom.” ~ Confucius
57. “Be strict with yourself but least reproachful of others and complaint is kept afar.” ~ Confucius
58. “When anger rises, think of the consequences.” ~ Confucius
59. “If you think in terms of a year, plants a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; and if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.” ~ Confucius
60. “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

Confucius Famous Quotes

61. “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” ~ Confucius
62. “Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.” ~ Confucius
63. “To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.” ~ Confucius
64. “The object of the superior man is truth.” ~ Confucius
65. “When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.” ~ Confucius
66. “If we don’t know life, how can we know death?” ~ Confucius
67. “The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.” ~ Confucius
68. “To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.” ~ Confucius
69. “I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being.” ~ Confucius
70. “The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes

71. “No matter how busy you may think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” ~ Confucius
72. “They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.” ~ Confucius
73. “He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.” ~ Confucius
74. “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
75. “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” ~ Confucius
76. “Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.” ~ Confucius
77. “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” ~ Confucius
78. “The more man meditates upon good thoughts; the better will be his world and the world at large.” ~ Confucius
79. “Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?” ~ Confucius
80. “You cannot open a book without learning something.” ~ Confucius

Funny Confucius Quotes

81. “When a person should be spoken with, and you don’t speak with them, you lose them. When a person shouldn’t be spoken with and you speak to them, you waste your breath. The wise do not lose people, nor do they waste their breath.” ~ Confucius
82. “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” ~ Confucius
83. “To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.” ~ Confucius
84. “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” ~ Confucius
85. “Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life.” ~ Confucius
86. “One joy dispels a hundred cares.” ~ Confucius
87. “Study the past, if you would divine the future.” ~ Confucius
88. “It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.” ~ Confucius
89. “Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.” ~ Confucius
90. “A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top.” ~ Confucius

Inspiring Confucius Quotes

91. “Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.” ~ Confucius
92. “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” ~ Confucius
93. “Silence is a true friend who never betrays.” ~ Confucius
94. “A person who chases two rabbits catches neither.” ~ Confucius
95. “Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.” ~ Confucius
96. “Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.” ~ Confucius
97. “Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.” ~ Confucius
98. “When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.” ~ Confucius
99. “We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.” ~ Confucius
100. “Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes

101. “And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.” ~ Confucius
102. “The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live.” ~ Confucius
103. “A man of wisdom delights in water.”~ Confucius
104. “Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly.” ~ Confucius
105. “Three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” ~ Confucius
106. “What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others.” ~ Confucius
107. “To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.” ~ Confucius
108. “To understand yourself is the key to wisdom.” ~ Confucius
109. “Sincerity is the way of heaven.” ~ Confucius
110. “A lack of patience in trifling matters might lead to the disruption of great project.” ~ Confucius

Quotes from Confucius

111. “The true gentleman does not preach what he practices till he has practiced what he preaches.” ~ Confucius
112. “Straight-forwardness, without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness.” ~ Confucius
113. “Love is like a spice. It can sweeten your life – however, it can spoil it, too.” ~ Confucius
114. “It is man that makes truth great, not truth that makes man great.” ~ Confucius
115. “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
116. “Sincerity is that whereby self-completion is effected, and its way is that by which man must direct himself.” ~ Confucius
117. “To love a thing means wanting it to live.” ~ Confucius
118. “True goodness springs from a man’s own heart. All men are born good.” ~ Confucius
119. “Can there be a love which does not make demands on its object?” ~ Confucius
120. “If you try to do too much, you will not achieve anything.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes

121. “You can successfully force people to follow a certain course, but you cannot force them to understand it.” ~ Confucius
122. “The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.” ~ Confucius
123. “Do not let a leader lead you on a bad path.” ~ Confucius
124. “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” ~ Confucius
125. He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.” ~ Confucius
126. “Knowing something is not as good as liking it. Liking something is not as good as rejoicing in it.” ~ Confucius
127. “No matter how busy you make think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” ~ Confucius
128. “When wealth is centralized, the people are dispersed. When wealth is distributed, the people are brought together.” ~ Confucius
129. “To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content.” ~ Confucius
130. “A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?” ~ Confucius

Famous Confucius Sayings

131. “What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.” ~ Confucius
132. “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
133. “Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.” ~ Confucius
134. “Men’s natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.” ~ Confucius
135. “Study without reflection is a waste of time; reflection without study is dangerous.” ~ Confucius
136. “When the multitude detests a man, inquiry is necessary; when the multitude likes a man, inquiry is equally necessary.” ~ Confucius
137. “The people may be made to follow a path of action but they may not be made to understand it.” ~ Confucius
138. “Have no friends not equal to yourself.” ~ Confucius
139. “He who will not economize will have to agonize.” ~ Confucius
140. “It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family.” ~ Confucius

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