Quotes from Confucius

I am not worried that nobody knows me. I seek to become fit to be known

If you look at their intentions, examine their motives, and scrutinize what brings them contentment — how can people hide who they are? How can they hide who they really are?

Worthy admonitions cannot fail to inspire us, but what matters is changing ourselves. Reverent advice cannot fail to encourage us, but what matters is acting on it. Encouraged without acting, inspired without changing — there's nothing to be done for such people.

When we see men of worth, we should think of equalling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

The Master said, "The gentleman harmonizes [he] without being an echo. The petty man echoes [tong] and does not harmonize.

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.

If the will be set on virtue, there will be no practice of wickedness.

When you make a promise consistent with what is right, you can keep your word. When you show respect consistent with good taste, you keep shame and disgrace at a distance. When he in whom you confide is one who does not fail his friends, you may trust him fully.

Knowing it does not compare with loving it; loving it does not compare with delighting in it.

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

The Master was entirely free of four faults: arbitrariness, inflexibility, rigidity, and selfishness.

If the people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given them by punishments, they will try to avoid the punishment, but have no sense of shame. 2. 'If they be led by virtue, and uniformity sought to be given them by the rules of propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good.