Confucius (/kənˈfjuːʃəs/ kən-FEW-shəs; 551 BC – 479 BC) was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history.
Teachers open the door. . . you enter by yourself.
The superior man has nothing to compete for. But if he must compete, he does it in an archery match, wherein he ascends to his position, bowing in deference. Descending, he drinks the ritual cup.
A man who has committed a mistake and does not correct it is committing another mistake.
Ceremonies are the first thing to be attended to in the practice of government.
To study and constantly, is this not a pleasure? To have friends come from far away places, is this not a joy? If people do not recognize your worth, but this does not worry you, are you not a true gentleman?
It cannot be when the root is neglected that what springs from it will be well ordered.
A happy union with wife and child is like the music of lutes and harps.
When strict with oneself, one rarely fails.
The demands that a great man makes are on himself; those of a petty man are upon others.
Expect much from yourself and little from others and you will avoid incurring resentments
The highest kind of man is the one who does before talking and practices what he professes.
With a heavy load and a long journey
The requisites of government are that there be sufficiency of food, sufficiency of military equipment, and the confidence of the people in their ruler.
The superior man undergoes three changes. Looked at from a distance, he appears stern; when approached, he is mild; when he is heard to speak, his language is firm and decided.
When abroad, behaveto everyone as if interviewing an honored guest; in directing the people, act as if you were assisting at a great sacrafice; DO NOT DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD NOT LIKE DONE TO YOURSELF: so there will be no murmuring against you in the country, and none in the family; your public life will arouse no ill-will nor your private life any resentment.
The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this.
What you know you know. What you don't know, you don't know. This is knowledge.
If language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant; if what is said is not what is meant, then what must be done remains undone; if this remains undone, morals and art will deteriorate; if justice goes astray, the people will stand about in helpless confusion. Hence there must be no arbitrariness in what is said. This matters above everything.
Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
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.