Thoughts by Confucius Quotes in English Quotations

Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified, their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their States were rightly governed. Their States being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was made tranquil and happy.

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

The ultimate revenge is living well and being happy. Hateful people can't stand happy people. Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.

A man of humanity is one who, in seeking to establish himself, finds a foothold for others and who, in desiring attaining himself, helps others to attain.

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.

If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish.

It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.

Don’t worry if you have no position: worry about making yourself worthy of one. Don’t worry if you aren’t known and admired: devote yourself to a life that deserves admiration.

I daily examine myself on three points:— whether, in transacting business for others, I may have been not faithful;— whether, in intercourse with friends, I may have been not sincere;— whether I may have not mastered and practised the instructions of my teacher.

A man should demand much from himself, but little from others. When you meet a man of worth, think how you may attain to his excellence. When you meet an unworthy one, then look within and examine yourself.

There are some with whom we may study in common, but we shall find them unable to go along with us to principles. Perhaps we may go on with them to principles, but we shall find them unable to get established in those along with us. Or if we may get so established along with them, we shall find them unable to weigh occurring events along with us.

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.

Respect yourself and others will respect you.

In worthy teaching, all things are related.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

Think of tomorrow, the past can't be mended.

All people are the same; only their habits differ.

Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.

When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.

Settle one difficulty, and you keep a hundred away.

- Quotation

The man who chases two rabbits, catches neither.

Better light a candle than curse the darkness.

Time flows away like the water in the river.

I hate to tell but now is all there ever is.

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

I followed my heart without breaking any rules.

Return good for good; return evil with justice.

The journey with a 1000 miles begins with one step.

Anyone can find the switch after the lights are on.

And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

Do everything in moderation, even moderation.

Faithfulness and sincerity are the highest things.

The Essence of Knowledge is, having it, to use it.

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

Men do not stumble over mountains, but over molehills.

He who searches for evil, must first look at his own reflection.

Don't do unto others what you don't want done unto you.

To see what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.

I slept and dreamt life is beauty, I woke and found life is duty.

Signs and symbols rule the world, not words nor laws.

The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name.

A man without a mustache is a man without a soul.

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.

When words lose their meaning, people lose their freedom.

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

You cannot open a book without learning something.

A great man is hard on himself, a small man is hard on others.

If you don't want to do something,don't impose on others.

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

If I understand Change, I shall make no great mistake in Life.

Where words lose their meaning, people lose their lives.

Should there possibly be any such case, I have not seen it.

You are not yet able to serve men, how can you serve spirits?

If either wealth or poverty are come by honesty, there is no shame.

Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.

Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more.

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

Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in.

We should keep the dead before our eyes, and honor them as though still living.

The one who teaches is the giver of eyes.

Success depends upon previous preparation.

Study the past if you would define the future.

He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.

Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.

Never tire to study. And to teach to others.

To rank the effort above the prize may be called love.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.

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

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

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

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

People with virtue must speak out; People who speak are not all virtuous.

Those who know the TRUTH are not equal to those who love it.

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A noble minded person is not an implement.

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If your desire is for good, the people will be good.

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The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.

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

Confucius Quotes in English

Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

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Heaven means to be one with God.

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You are what you think.

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Words are the voice of the heart.

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Behind every smile there's teeth.

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One joy dispels a hundred cares.

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Don't use cannon to kill musquito.

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Insecurity is worse than poverty.

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Study the past to define the future.

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Have no friends not equal to yourself.

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When the wind blows, the grass bends.

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No matter where you go, there you are.

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Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.

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Your life is what your thoughts make it.

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Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

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I am not an originator but a transmitter.

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The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance.

Worry not that no one knows you; seek to be worth knowing.

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.

Walking among three people, I find my teacher among them. I choose that which is good in them and follow it, and that which is bad and change it.

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.

No matter how busy you make think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.

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

The scholar does not consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but loyalty and good faith.

He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.

Consideration for others is the basis of a good life, a good society. *

If one should desire to know whether a kingdom is well governed, if its morals are good or bad, the quality of its music will furnish the answer.

Those who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which they themselves must pass.

He who flatters a man is his enemy. he who tells him of his faults is his maker.

Things have their roots and branches. Affairs have their beginnings and their ends. To know what is first and what is last will lead one near the Way.

In his dealings with the world, the gentleman is not invariably for or against anything. He is on the side of what is moral.

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.

The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

Care not for want of place; care for thy readiness to fill one. Care not for being unknown, but seek to be worthy of note.

Mankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.

If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.

The funniest people are the saddest ones

Aspire to the principal, behave with virtue, abide by benevolence, and immerse yourself in the arts.

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

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

To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.

The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.

Virtue is never left to stand alone. He who has it will have neighbors.

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

If an urn lacks the characteristics of an urn, how can we call it an urn?

We take greater pains to persuade others that we are happy than in endeavoring to think so ourselves.

When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.

Coarse rice to eat, water to drink, my bended arm for a pillow - therein is happiness. Wealth and rank attained through immoral means are nothing but drifting clouds.

The Master said, “To study, and then in a timely fashion to practice what you have learned—is this not satisfying? To have companions arrive from afar—is this not a joy? To remain unrecognized by others and yet remain free of resentment—is this not the mark of the gentleman?

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

At fifteen my mind was directed to study, and at thirty I knew where to stand.

The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.

Be strict with yourself but least reproachful of others and complaint is kept afar.

No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.

The demands that good people make are upon themselves;
Those that bad people make are upon others.

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

Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.

What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.

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

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

No lake so still but it has its wave.
No circle so perfect but that it has its blur.
I would change things for you if I could; As I can't you must take them as they are.

Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present? If he reach the age of forty or fifty, and has not made himself heard of, then indeed he will not be worth being regarded with respect.

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.

If there were an honorable way to get rich, I’d do it, even if it meant being a stooge standing around with a whip. But there isn’t an honorable way, so I just do what I like.

The Master said, The case is like that of someone raising a mound. If he stops working, the fact that it perhaps needed only one more basketful makes no difference; I stay where I am. Whereas even if he has not got beyond leveling the ground, but is still at work, the fact that he has only tilted one basketful of earth makes no difference. I go to help him.

Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life.

The way out is through the door. Why is it that no one will use this method?

Fix your mind on truth, hold firm to virtue, rely on loving kindness, and find your recreation in the Arts.

To study and constantly, is this not a pleasure? To have friends come from far away places, is this not a joy? If people do not recognize your worth, but this does not worry you, are you not a true gentleman?

As the water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it, so a wise man adapts himself to circumstances.

If the will be set on virtue, there will be no practice of wickedness.

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.

It is not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs.

Among his own country folk Confucius wore a homely look, like one that has no word to say.

The superior man has a dignified ease without pride. The mean man has pride without a dignified ease.

The man of wisdom is never of two minds;
the man of benevolence never worries;
the man of courage is never afraid.

I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your being.

Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.

The Man who says he can, and the man who says he can not.. Are both correct.

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

The way of the superior person is threefold; virtuous, they are free from anxieties; wise they are free from perplexities; and bold they are free from fear.

That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate enough to be spared.

If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.

Things that are done, it is needless to speak about; things that have had their course, it is needless to remonstrate about; things that are past, it is needless to blame.

Conduct thyself always with the same prudence as though thou went observed by ten eyes and pointed at by ten fingers.

To be poor without murmuring is difficult. To be rich without being proud is easy.

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

It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.

A man should say, I am not concerned that I have no place, I am concerned how I may fit myself for one. I am not concerned that I am not known, I seek to be worthy to be known.

Learn advidly. Question it repeatedly. Analyze it carefully. Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently.

If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with the rites of propriety? If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with music?

If what one has to say is not better than silence, then one should keep silent.

If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.

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

There is never a case when the root is in order and yet the branches are in order.

You will never know how sharp a sword is unless it's drawn from its sheath.

I am not concerned that I am not known; I seek to be worthy to be known.

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

A man without persistence will never make a good shaman or a good physician.

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

With coarse grain to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow: I still have joy in the midst of these things.

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

They will do; but they are not equal to him, who, though poor, is yet cheerful, and to him, who, though rich, loves the rules of propriety.

The Master said, Guide the people by law, aline them by punishment; they may shun crime, but they will want shame. Guide them by mind, aline them by courtesy; they will learn shame and grow good.

Not to discuss with a man worthy of conversation is to waste the man. To discuss with a man not worthy of conversation is to waste words. The wise waste neither men nor words.

To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order; we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.

Lead the people with administrative injunctions and put them in their place with penal law, and they will avoid punishments but will be without a sense of shame. Lead them with excellence and put them in their place through roles and ritual practices, and in addition to developing a sense of shame, they will order themselves harmoniously.

When you make a promise consistent with what is right, you can keep your word. When you show respect consistent with good taste, you keep shame and disgrace at a distance. When he in whom you confide is one who does not fail his friends, you may trust him fully.

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.

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

It is when those who are not strong enough have made some moderate amount of progress that they fail and give up...

Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.

The nobler sort of man emphasizes the good qualities in others, and does not accentuate the bad. The inferior does.

The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear.

This is a major problem in America, where greed, power, and money are the highest value. This creates a paranoia atmosphere. I mention this all the time, but first time I have ever seen it.

Learn as if you were not reaching your goal and as though you were scared of missing it.

He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.

Respect the gods and the devils but keep them at a distance.

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

He who studies but does not think is lost; he who thinks but does not study is dangerous.

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

We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.

A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top.

If your plan is for one year plant rice. If your plan is for ten years plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years educate children.

The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.

There are those who act without knowing; I will have none of this. To hear a lot, choose the good, and follow it, to see a lot and learn to recognize it: this is next knowledge.

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

Writing cannot express all words, words cannot encompass all ideas.

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

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

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

The green reed which bends in the wind is stronger than the mighty oak which breaks in a storm.

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.

If a man be without the virtues proper to humanity, what has he to do with music?

At fifteen I set my heart upon learning.
At thirty, I had planted my feet firm upon the ground.
At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities.
At fifty, I knew what were the biddings of Heaven.
At sixty, I heard them with docile ear.
At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of right.

To conceal resentment against a person, and appear friendly with him;- Tso Ch'iu-ming was ashamed of such conduct.

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. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved.

When a person should be spoken with, and you don't speak with them, you lose them. When a person shouldn't be spoken with and you speak to them, you waste your breath. The wise do not lose people, nor do they waste their breath.

What is the good of being ready with the tongue? They who encounter men with smartnesses of speech for the most part procure themselves hatred. I know not whether he be truly virtuous, but why should he show readiness of the tongue?

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.

I used to take on trust a man's deeds after having listened to his words. Now having listened to a man's words I go on to observe his deeds.

The noble-minded are calm and steady. Little people are forever fussing and fretting.

The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

To one who is not eager I do not reveal anything, nor do I explain anything to one who is not communicative. If I raise one corner for someone and he cannot come back with the other three, I do not go on.

There is nothing more real than what cannot be seen and there is nothing more certain than what cannot be heard.

The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

The faults of the superior man are like the eclipses of the sun and moon. He has his faults, and all men see them; he changes, and all men look up to him.

What you don´t want done to yourself, do not do to others.

When a wise man points at the moon the imbecile examines the finger.

Che Guevara Thoughts in English

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

Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.

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.

The gentleman does not promote people merely on the basis of their words, nor does he reject words merely because of the person who uttered them.

Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?

Knowing it does not compare with loving it; loving it does not compare with delighting in it.

While they have not got their aims, their anxiety is how to get them. When they have got them, their anxiety is lest they should lose them.

The Master said, “If your conduct is determined solely by considerations of profit you will arouse great resentment.

The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.

Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.

Is it not indeed a pleasure to acquire knowledge and constantly to exercise oneself therein?

Humankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of man.

A superior man in dealing with the world is not for anything or against anything. He follows righteousness as the standard.

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

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

They must often change who would remain constant in happiness and wisdom.

A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace.

You can force the people to obey; you cannot force them to understand.

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.

To know what is first and what is last will lead near to what is taught in the Great Learning.

When respect is shown according to what is proper, one keeps far from shame and disgrace.

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

I am not worried that nobody knows me. I seek to become fit to be known.

The expectations of life depend upon diligence the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

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

Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.

Tell me and I will forget, show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand.

If you did not do so for the sake of riches,You must have done so for the sake of novelty.

The noble minded act before speak, then they speak according to their actions.

Learning without thinking is useless. Thinking without learning is dangerous.

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

A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?

He who is concerned only with the purity of his own life ruins the great human relations.

The gentleman understands what is moral. The small man understands what is profitable.