Website owner:  James Miller

Confucius collection




   Feel kindly toward everyone, but be intimate only with the 
   virtuous. 


   When you see a man of worth, think of how you may emulate him.  
   When you see one who is unworthy, examine yourself. 


   To go too far is as bad as to fall short. 


   If, when you look into your own heart, you find nothing wrong 
   there, what is there to worry about, what is there to fear? 


   The nobler man first practices what he preaches and afterward 
   preaches according to his practice. 


   I will not grieve that men do not know me;  I will grieve that 
   I do not know men. 


   What you do not wish done to yourself, do not do to others. 


   The well-bred are dignified but not pompous;  the ill-bred are 
   pompous but not dignified. 


   Wealth and rank are what men desire, but unless they be 
   obtained in the right way they may not be possessed. 


   The true gentleman is friendly but not familiar;  the inferior 
   man is familiar but not friendly. 


   Tzu King asked:  "What would you say of the man who is liked by 
   all his fellow townsmen?"  "That is not sufficient", was the 
   reply.  "What is better is that the good among his fellow 
   townsmen like him, and the bad hate him." 


   Recognize that you know what you know, and that you are 
   ignorant of what you do not know. 


   Hear much, leave to one side that which is doubtful, and speak 
   with due caution concerning the remainder.  See much, leave to 
   one side that of which the meaning is not clear, and act 
   carefully with regard to the rest. 


   Do not wish for quick results, nor look for small advantages.  
   If you seek quick results, you will not reach the ultimate 
   goal.  If you are led astray by small advantages, you will 
   never accomplish great things. 

 
   If there be righteousness in the heart, 
    there will be beauty in the character. 
   If there be beauty in the character, 
    there will be harmony in the home. 
   If there be harmony in the home, 
    there will be order in the nation. 
   If there be order in the nation, 
    there will be peace in the world. 


   If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find 
   sorrow near at hand.


   Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without 
   learning is perilous.


   The cautious seldom err.


   The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to 
   virtue. 


   The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his 
   actions.


   The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is 
   always full of distress. 


   The superior man...does not set his mind either for anything, 
   or against anything; what is right he will follow. 


   Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will 
   have neighbors.


   What the superior man seeks is in himself.  What the mean man 
   seeks is in others. 


   What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others. 


   When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; 
   when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards 
   and examine ourselves.


   When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you 
   do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is 
   knowledge.


   With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm 
   for a pillow - I have still joy in the midst of these things. 
   Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a 
   floating cloud. 


   Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.



   Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. 



   He who will not economize will have to agonize. 



   I hear and I forget.  I see and I remember.  I do and I 
   understand. 



   Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon 
   and star. 



   It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not 
   stop. 



   Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far 
   apart. 



   Respect yourself and others will respect you. 



   The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that 
   danger may come.  When in a state of security he does not forget 
   the possibility of ruin.  When all is orderly, he does not 
   forget that disorder may come. 



   To be able under all circumstances to practice five things 
   constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, 
   generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.



   To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.




   When anger rises, think of the consequences. 




   Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. 



   By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be 
   wide apart. 



   Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated 
   with true virtue. 



   Have no friends not equal to yourself. 



   He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make 
   his words good. 





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