Confucius lived almost three thousand years ago, yet his words still resonate in our modern world today. That’s because this extraordinary Chinese philosopher inspired his own school of thought, Confucianism. Confucius quotes are tidbits of this man’s brilliant spiritual philosophy.
Confucius did not believe himself to be a leader or a prophet of any kind. Instead, he focused on passing along traditions focused on social harmony. This was the core of Confucianism. In Confucianism, every action affects one another. Therefore, you must be thoughtful in your life journey.
Throughout his life, Confucius spoke and wrote many works where he expressed his incredible wisdom. Fortunately, many of these texts and quotes survived thousands of years of history.
Discover these Confucius Quotes to Get Your Daily Dose of Wisdom
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“Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.”
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“Silence is a true friend who never betrays.”
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“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.”
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“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
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“We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.”
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“Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.”
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“If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.”
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“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.”
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“Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.”
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“He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”
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“The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.”
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“By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.”
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“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals; adjust the action steps.”
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“To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.”
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“Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.”
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“The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.”
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“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”
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“When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it – this is knowledge.”
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“He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.”
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“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”
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“Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.”
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“Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.”
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“Men’s natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.”
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“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be failure.”
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“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.”
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“When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.”
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“The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.”
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“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
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“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”
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“The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved.”
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“Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.”
Did you recognize any of these Confucius quotes? We wouldn’t be surprised if you did. Confucius’ words are loved all over the world for their immense wisdom. No matter where you are in your own life journey, a Confucius quote can help you to think a little more deeply and clearly about your life.
