Confucius quotes

One who knows and knows he knows is a wise man, Follow Him
One who knows and knows not he knows is asleep, Awaken him
One who knows not and knows he knows not is a child, Teach him
One who knows not and knows not he knows not is a Fool, Avoid him Attributed.
When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self. Analects
Chi Wen Tzu always thought three times before taking action. Twice would have been quite enough. Analects
Men's natures are alike; it is their habits that carry them far apart. Analects
Study the past, if you would divine the future. Analects
Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous. Analects
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue. Analects
Have no friends not equal to yourself. Analects
When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them. Analects
To be able to practise five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue...gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness. Analects
The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress. Analects
The people may be made to follow a course of action, but they may not be made to understand it. Analects
Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness. Analects
The superior man is distressed by his want of ability. Analects
What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others Analects
All men are born good. Analects
Oppressive government is more dreadful than a tiger. Analects
Like the heart of the wise, a mirror reflects all things, but remains unchanged. Analects
Study the past if you wish to know the future. Analects
The Scholar who wishes comfort, is not fit to be called a scholar. Analects
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. Analects
They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. Analects
What the wise seek is in themselves, what the fool seeks is in others. Analects
For the sake of one word a man is judged wise or foolish. Take care in what you say. Analects
Cowardice is seeing what is right, and failing to do it. Analects
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without. Analects



What, you were expecting "Confucius say" puns?

To know you do not know and to say so is true wisdom

It is only in winter that we notice the pines keep their leaves


I might have misquoted tbh, that's from memory

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without. Analects

Kinda begs the question, what is a flawless pebble?


*claps with one hand*

By three methods may we learn wisdom:
by imitation, which is the easiest,
by experience, which is the bitterest; and
 by reflection which is the noblest;