Confucius, The Analects Quotes

To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace.

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.

Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.

If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things.

What can a man do with music who is not benevolent?

If you look at their intentions, examine their motives, and scrutinize what brings them contentment – how can people hide who they are? How can they hide who they really are?

A legendary horse is praised not for its strength, but for its Integrity.

Naming enables the noble-minded to speak, and speech enables the noble-minded to act. Therefore, the noble-minded are anything but careless in speech.

Language is insight itself.

If I raise one corner for someone and he cannot come back with the other three, I do not go on.

cautiously, you avoid trouble. See all that you can – then, if you forget the perilous and

Ji Wenzi always thought thrice before acting. Hearing this the Master said, "Twice is enough.

A noble minded person is not an implement.

The noble-minded encourage what is beautiful in people and discourage what is ugly in them. Little people do just the opposite.

A gentleman is not a pot.

When everyone hates a person, you should investigate thoroughly, and when everyone loves a person, you should also investigate thoroughly.

In following the Way, the noble-minded treasure three things: a manner free of violence and arrogance, a countenance full of sincerity and trust, a voice free of vulgarity and impropriety.

Lord Chi Wen thought three times before taking any action. When the Master heard this, he said: Twice is plenty enough.

Poor food and water for dinner, a bent arm for a pillow – that is where joy resides. For me, wealth and renown without honor are nothing but drifting clouds.

Clever talk, ingratiating looks, fawning reverence: Tso-ch’iu Ming found that shameful, and so do I. Friendly while harboring resentment: Tso-ch’iu Ming found that shameful, too, and so do I.

If you expect great things of yourself and demand little of others, you’ll keep resentment far away.

How can you love people without encouraging them? And how can you be loyal to people without educating them.

In worthy teaching, all things are related.

The noble-minded worry about their lack of ability, not about people’s failure to recognize their ability.

If a craftsman wants to do good work, he must first sharpen his tools.

Don’t grieve when people fail to recognize your ability. Grieve for your lack of ability instead.

If things far away don’t concern you, you’ll soon mourn things close at hand.

Am I a man of great wisdom? Hardly! Even when a simple person brings me a question, my mind goes utterly blank, I just thrash it out until I’ve exhausted every possibility.

I am not one who was born with great wisdom. I love the ancients and diligently seek wisdom among them.

One who never anticipates deceit or expects duplicity, and yet is the first to recognize such things – is that not a sage indeed?

The wise never doubt. The Humane never worry. The brave never fear.

When the wind blows, the grass bends.

The Master is cordial yet stern, awe-inspiring yet not fierce and respectful yet at ease.

Even when walking in the company of two other men, I am bound to be able to learn from them. The good points of the one I copy, the bad points of the other I correct in myself.

A man whose strength gives out collapses along the course. In your case you set the limits beforehand.