Confucius on Wisdom Quotes

"Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness."

"A man of virtue will be sure to possess also a right words; but a man of words will not necessarily be a man of virtue."

"An honest man is believed without an oath, for his reputation swears for him."

"A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake."

"The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools."

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."

"Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude."

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

"In a hamlet of ten families, there may be found one honorable and sincere as I am, but not one as fond of learning."

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."

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

"The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large."

"At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven."

"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."

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

"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."

"The superior man is all-embracing and not partial. The mean man is partial and not all-embracing."

"I am not concerned that I am not known, I am concerned that I do not know others."

"Life is simple, but we insist on making it complicated."

"The support of parents is now called filial piety. But dogs and horses likewise are able to do something in the way of support; without reverence, what is there to distinguish the one from the other?"

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

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

"The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived."

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

"Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart."

"To study and at any time to repeat what one has learnt, is that not after all a pleasure?"

"Respect yourself and others will respect you."

"Let the states of equilibrium and harmony exist in perfection, and a happy order will prevail throughout heaven and earth, and all things will be nourished and flourish."

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

"To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness."

"Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire."