Things that are done, it is needless to speak about...things that are past, it is needless to blame.
– Confucius
Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.
– Confucius
What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others.
– Confucius
What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
– Confucius
When a man's knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again.
– Confucius
When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
– Confucius
When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
– Confucius
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. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a floating cloud.
– Confucius
Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.
– Confucius
[The superior man] acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.
– Confucius
While you are not able to serve men, how can you serve spirits [of the dead]?...While you do not know life, how can you know about death?
– Confucius
Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?
– Confucius
Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.
– Confucius
We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.
– Confucius
There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.
– Confucius
The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.
– Confucius
The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them they change and everyone looks up to them.
– Confucius
I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing meI will be concerned at my own want of ability.