Quotes by Confucius

The superior man cannot be known in little matters, but he may be entrusted with great concerns. The small man may not be entrusted with great concerns, but he may be known in little matters.
(The Confucian Analects)

The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
(The Confucian Analects)

The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.
(The Confucian Analects)

The superior man...does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what is right he will follow.
(The Confucian Analects)

There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth...lust. When he is strong...quarrelsomeness. When he is old...covetousness.
(The Confucian Analects)

Things that are done, it is needless to speak about...things that are past, it is needless to blame.
(The Confucian Analects)

To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue...[They are] gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
(The Confucian Analects)

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.
(The Confucian Analects)

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.
(The Confucian Analects)

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
(The Confucian Analects)

What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others.
(The Confucian Analects)

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
(The Confucian Analects)

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.
(The Confucian Analects)

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.
(The Confucian Analects)

When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
(The Confucian Analects)

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.
(The Confucian Analects)

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.
(The Confucian Analects)

Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.
(The Confucian Analects)

[The superior man] acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.
(The Confucian Analects)

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?
(The Confucian Analects), bk. 11:11