Consulting the Archives...
Generating fresh insights specifically for this topic.
This may take a moment.
Generating fresh insights specifically for this topic.
This may take a moment.
In the modern world, we often view ritual as empty formality. Confucius saw it as the essential structure of a disciplined life. 'Li' (Ritual/Propriety) is the practice of doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time. It is the discipline of respect—bowing to elders, honoring ancestors, treating others with dignity. Confucius believed that these daily disciplines tame our raw impulses and transform us into civilized human beings. He taught that 'to subdue one's self and return to propriety, is perfect virtue. '
"If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake."
"To be poor without murmuring is difficult. To be rich without being proud is easy."
"If a man should be able to rule himself, what difficulty will he have in serving the state?"
"The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not know him."
"The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort."
"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."
"He who is master of his own spirit is greater than he who takes a city."
"The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration."
"A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders."
"Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others."
"By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart."
"He who is puffed up with pride will not be able to preserve his reputation."
"He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior."
"He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good."
"When internal examination discovers nothing wrong, what is there to be anxious about? What is there to fear?"
"In the practice of the rules of propriety, a natural ease is to be prized. In the ways prescribed by the ancient kings, this is the course of beauty: the small and the great follow it."
"In all things success depends on previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure."
"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."
"A man should say, 'I am not concerned that I have no place, I am concerned how I may fit myself for one.'"
"The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools."
"When anger rises, think of the consequences."
"Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves."
"Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure."
Seeing how Confucius approaches Discipline helps you apply the idea with more precision.
Pick one quote to guide a decision today, then return for deeper perspective.
Search More
Jump to another topic, author, or pillar without leaving the archive.
"Use this collection whenever you need Confucius's lens on Discipline."