Quotes by Confucius

Nothing is more visible than things hidden; Nothing is more manifest than things minute; Therefore, the superior man should be aware of his aloneness

Die Wahrheit hat keinen Erfolg.

Heaven means to be one with God.

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.

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

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

Time flows away like the water in the river.

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

The Master said, “A true teacher is one who, keeping the past alive, is also able to understand the present.”(Analects 2.11)

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

he who will not economize will have to agonize

The Master said, “What a worthy man was Yan Hui! Living in a narrow alley, subsisting upon meager bits of rice and water—other people could not have borne such hardship, and yet it never spoiled Hui’s joy. What a worthy man was Hui!”(Analects 6.11)

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

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

One who never anticipates deceit or expects duplicity, and yet is the first to recognize such things – is that not a sage indeed?

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

Wenn du weißt, behaupte, dass du es weißt. Und wenn du etwas nicht weißt, gib zu, dass du es nicht weißt. Das ist Wissen.

Wenn man noch nicht das Leben kennt, wie sollte man den Tod kennen.

Wenn man noch nicht den Menschen dienen kann, wie sollte man den Geistern dienen können?

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.