Confucius on Gratitude Quotes

"The superior man, in the world, does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what is right he will follow."

"Riches and honors are what men desire. If they cannot be obtained in the proper way, they should not be held."

"A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful."

"I daily examine myself on three points: whether, in transacting business for others, I may have been not faithful; whether, in intercourse with friends, I may have been not sincere; and whether I may have not mastered and practiced the instructions of my teacher."

"The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear."

"Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous."

"Filial piety and fraternal submission, are they not the root of all benevolent actions?"

"He who acts with a constant view to his own profit will be much murmured against."

"Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application?"

"Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue."

"The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions."

"When three men are walking together, there is one who can be my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them."

"Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors."

"While a man's father is alive, look at the bent of his will; when his father is dead, look at his conduct. If for three years he does not alter from the way of his father, he may be called filial."

"To have friends coming from distant quarters—is this not delightful?"

"To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage."

"If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge, so as continually to be acquiring new, he may be a teacher of others."

"The superior man is distressed by the limitation of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not know him."

"He who is really kind can never be unhappy. He who is really wise can never be confused."

"When you see a man of worth, think of emulating him; when you see a man of contrary character, examine your own self."

"What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the mean man seeks is in others."

"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."

"A man should say, 'I am not concerned that I have no place, I am concerned how I may fit myself for one.'"

"Is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life? The Master said, 'Is not Reciprocity such a word?'"

"The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions."

"If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with the rites of propriety?"

"The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress."

"All within the four seas are brothers."

"To be poor without murmuring is difficult. To be rich without being proud is easy."

"Hui was a man of extraordinary virtue. With a single bamboo dish of rice, a single gourd of drink, and living in his mean narrow lane, he did not allow his joy to be affected by it."

"The superior man thinks of virtue; the small man thinks of possessions."

"The Master said, 'The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.'"

"I will not be afflicted at men's not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I do not know men."