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.
The Master said, I set my heart on the Way, base myself on virtue, lean upon benevolence for support and take my recreation in the arts.
Love makes a spot beautiful: who chooses not to dwell in love, has he got wisdom?
Do unto others as you wish others do unto you.
The archer who misses his mark does not blame the target. He stops, corrects himself and shoots again.
How should I know anything about another world when I know so little of this?
It is the obligation of the ruler to continually renew himself in order to renew the people by his example.
The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.
A gentleman wishes to be slow to speak and quick to act.
Is there any one maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one's whole life? Surely the maxim of loving kindness is such: Do not unto others what you would not they should do unto you.
Kong Qiu, or Master Kong as he was known, did not live to see his days of glory. During his lifetime, his views were received with scorn. But that was about two thousand five hundred years ago. A handful of his dedicated followers passed on Confucius' teachings to future generations. After Confucius' death, his followers published his teachings in the book, The Analects of Confucius.
A scholar who loves comfort is not fit to be called a scholar.
Tea tempers the spirits and harmonizes the mind, dispels lassitude and relieves fatigue, awakens thought and prevents drowsiness, lightens or refreshes the body, and clears the perceptive faculties.
Transport a handful of earth everyday and you will make a mountain.
A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon others.
Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.
Never overlook wallflower at dance; may be dandelion in grass.
The superior man has a dignified ease without pride. The mean man has pride without a dignified ease.
The small man thinks that small acts of goodness are of no benefit, and does not do them; and that small deeds of evil do no harm, and does not refrain from them. Hence, his wickedness becomes so great that it cannot be concealed, and his guilt so great that it cannot be pardoned.
There are 3 elements essential in the matters of the State, Food, Military equipment, and Confidence of the people in the ruler. Of these 3, Military Equipment is the least important, Food being the 2nd important, and Confidence of the people being the MOST important. All men rather die of starvation than in war, but nevertheless all men do die of old age. Lacking in Confidence from the people, a state cannot survive.
A wise man seeks by music to strengthen his soul: the thoughtless one uses it to stifle his fears.