Confucius, born Confucius Qiu (孔丘) in 551 BC – died 479 BC, was a Chinese philosopher and politician. People show their respect for him through the titles “Confucius” and “Master Kong,” both meaning “Teacher Kong.”
Confucius’s philosophical system, Confucianism, emphasizes the moral and educational elements of individual and governmental social relationships. His teachings and philosophy formed the cultural foundation of China and other East Asian nations, which persist to this day.
Join us as we explore some of Confucius’s famous quotes on education, life, love, and parents, all imbued with profound philosophical insights:
1 Confucius Quotes on Education
Confucius Quotes on Education
1. Study broadly, ask meticulously, think carefully, differentiate clearly, and act with all your might.
2. With knowledge, there is no doubt; with benevolence, no worry; with courage, no fear.
3. When fate is unkind, striving is futile.
4. Knowing your faults and not correcting them is a fault indeed.
5. To know and yet think you do not is illness. To not know but think you do is sickness. Only recognizing illness as illness can you be free of illness. Only recognizing sickness as sickness can you be free of sickness.
6. Learn tirelessly, teach tirelessly.
7. Those who lack insight are destined for a life of sorrow and worry.
8. To govern a country, one must first govern the family.
9. In examining yourself, do not seek perfection, for it will elude you. Instead, seek to improve, for that you can achieve.
10. Learning without reflection is a waste; reflection without learning is dangerous.
11. We don’t know who will win in a race between the swift and the slow. But we know who will lose—those who don’t run.
12. Respond to anger with virtue. Overcome the negative with the positive.
13. Everyone has the right to learn and be educated, regardless of their background.
14. Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.
15. If I can hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening.
16. If you are unjust, you will not be trusted.
17. The more you understand, the less you need. The less you need, the happier you are.
18. Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
19. Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. Choose friends who embody the values you want to cultivate, for friendship with the virtuous is like walking in the company of the wise.
See also: More inspirational quotes for your journey
2 Confucius Quotes on Life
Confucius Quotes on Life
1. Do not pray for an easy life; pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.
2. In self-reflection, do not seek perfection, for it will elude you. Instead, seek to improve, for that you can achieve.
3. Those who do not plan ahead will find trouble right at their door.
4. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
5. When walking with three people, I will always find my teacher among them. I will choose the good qualities of one and follow them, and the bad qualities of the others and avoid them.
6. The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.
7. Do not wish for a smooth life; only through hardship can we grow stronger.
8. Trust but verify.
9. Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.
10. The gentleman is concerned with virtue, the small man is concerned with land.
11. Do not wish for an easy task; a difficult task will make you valuable.
12. If your words are trustworthy and your actions honorable, you may rule the world.
13. The gentleman values virtue, the petty man values land. The gentleman values right actions, the petty man, convenience.
14. Do not be led astray by wine, for it will lead you to make embarrassing mistakes.
15. Knowing your faults and not correcting them is a fault indeed.
16. Do not look at what is contrary to propriety; do not listen to what is contrary to propriety; do not speak what is contrary to propriety; do not move contrary to propriety.
17. Do not wish for a life without problems, for trouble is what sharpens us.
18. Birds choose a tree to rest in, but a wise man chooses his own path to follow.
19. Do not reach for what is just out of your grasp, for you will be left with empty hands and a troubled heart.
20. Everyone has the right to learn and be educated, regardless of their background.
See also: More inspirational quotes for Teachers’ Day
3 Confucius Quotes on Love
Confucius Quotes on Love
1. Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
2. Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
3. The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
4. Silence is a true friend who never betrays.
5. Do not wish for a life of ease, for ease will make you weak and vulnerable.
6. Birds choose a tree to rest in, but a wise man chooses his own path to follow.
When you love something, you want it to live.
8. We can easily manage if we will simply take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday’s burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it.
4 Confucius Quotes on Parents
Confucius Quotes on Parents
1. Filial piety is the root of all virtues.
2. When your parents are alive, serve them with filial piety. When they pass away, remember them with respect.
3. When you are at home, respect your parents. When you go out, respect your elders. Show loyalty and trustworthiness, and be a good friend to the good and a good enemy to the bad.
4. Today’s parents often correct their children, but not themselves.
5. While your parents are alive, it is better not to travel far away. If you do have to travel, you must let them know your whereabouts.
Confucius left behind a treasure trove of wisdom on education and life after his passing. Each quote contains a profound message about life that we should reflect upon. We hope that our sharing will help you find your purpose and motivation in life.
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