Monday 19 June 2017

Confucius: Quotable Quotes

Confucius was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher, whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese thought and life. Died 479 BC (aged 71–72).
  • 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.
  • It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.
  • Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
  • Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
  • Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.
  • In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of.
    In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
  • To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace.
  • To see what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.
  • All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
  • The gentleman understands what is right,
    whereas the petty man understands profit.
  • Settle one difficulty, and you keep a hundred away.
  • Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
  • If you don't want to do something,don't impose on others.
  • What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
  • Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.
  • He who will not economize will have to agonize.
  • To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.
  • To be poor without murmuring is difficult.
    To be rich without being proud is easy.
  • The cautious seldom err.
  • Wise man adapts himself to circumstances.
  • Think of tomorrow, the past can't be mended.
  • Respect the gods and the devils but keep them at a distance.
  • Learn avidly. Question it repeatedly. Analyze it carefully.
    Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently.
  • If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.
  • If things far away don’t concern you, you’ll soon mourn things close at hand.
  • When everyone hates a person, you should investigate thoroughly,
    and when everyone loves a person, you should also investigate thoroughly.
  • Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
  • Artful speech and an ingratiating demeanor rarely accompany virtue.
  • If you want to make a stand, help others make a stand, and if you want to reach your goal, help others reach their goal. Consider yourself and treat others accordingly: this is the method of Humanity.
  • Characteristics of a superior man:— in his conduct of himself, he was humble; in serving his superiors, he was respectful; in nourishing the people, he was kind; in ordering the people, he was just.
  • When words lose their meaning, people lose their freedom.
  • Without the rules of propriety, respectfulness becomes laborious bustle; carefulness becomes timidity; boldness becomes insubordination; straightforwardness becomes rudeness.
  • Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

A very wise quote is a spectacular waterfall!

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