Confucius
Chinese teacher and thinker (traditionally dated 551 to 479 BCE), born in Zou and an official in Lu; his teachings survive as sayings in the Analects, which an early account says his first and second generation disciples compiled.
Confucius did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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Their wordsIf they be led by virtue, and uniformity sought to be given them by the rules of propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 1st of 12 in this piece
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Their wordsLearning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 2nd of 12 in this piece
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Their wordsWhen 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.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 3rd of 12 in this piece
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Our reading
The mind of the superior person is set on what is right; the mind of the petty person is set on gain
Their wordsThe mind of the superior man is conversant with righteousness; the mind of the mean man is conversant with gain.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 4th of 12 in this piece
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Their wordsIs virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! virtue is at hand.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 5th of 12 in this piece
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Their wordsWhen we see men of worth, we should think of equalling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 5th of 12 in this piece
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Our reading
Anyone you walk with can be your teacher: follow their good qualities and avoid their bad ones
Their wordsWhen I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 6th of 12 in this piece
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Our reading
If names are not correct, language does not match the truth of things and affairs cannot succeed
Their wordsIf names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 6th of 12 in this piece
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Our reading
Reciprocity can serve as a rule for life: do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself
Their wordsIs not RECIPROCITY such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 7th of 12 in this piece
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Our reading
Their wordsHold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Have no friends not equal to yourself.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 8th of 12 in this piece
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Their wordsBy nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 8th of 12 in this piece
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Their wordsThere are three friendships which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Friendship with the upright; friendship with the sincere; and friendship with the man of much observation:— these are advantageous. Friendship with the man of specious airs; friendship with the insinuatingly soft; and friendship with the glib-tongued:— these are injurious.
↗The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861)gutenberg.org 11th of 12 in this piece
The line under a date fills as the words age, a quarter at a time: past a month, six months, a year, and three years. Empty means said within the last month; full, more than three years ago. It says when, not whether it still holds — a change of mind is marked on the claim itself.
Dashed means we only know the words existed by that date; they may be older.