Study the past, if you would divine the future.
Author
Confucius
71 quotations
About Confucius
Confucius, born Kong Qiu, was a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period who is traditionally considered the paragon of Chinese sages. Much of the shared cultural heritage of the Sinosphere originates in the philosophy and teachings of Confucius. His philosophical teachings, called Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, harmonious social relationships, righteousness, kindness, sincerity, and a ruler's responsibilities to lead by virtue.
Read on Wikipedia → Find books by ConfuciusNever contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.
If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest Second, by imitation, which is easiest and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
If we don't know life, how can we know death?
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Death and life have their determined appointments riches and honors depend upon heaven.
Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.
Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.
The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them they change and everyone looks up to them.
They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
The superior man understands what is right the inferior man understands what will sell.
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Speak the truth, do not yield to anger give, if thou art asked for little by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
Speak the truth, do not yield to anger give, if thou art asked for little by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
When anger rises, think of the consequences.
Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.