Confucius

If a superior man abandon virtue, how can he fulfil the requirements of that name?

Confucius

If doing what ought to be done be made the first business and success a secondary consideration–is not this the way to exalt virtue?

Confucius

If some years were added to my life, I would give fifty to the study of the Yi, and then I might come to be without great faults.

Confucius

If the people are governed by laws and punishment is used to maintain order, they will try to avoid the punishment but have no sense of shame. If they are governed by virtue and rules of propriety are used to maintain order, they will have a sense of shame and will become good as well.

Confucius

If the search for riches were sure to be successful, though I should become a groom with a whip in my hand to get them, I will do so. As the search may not be successful, I will follow after that which I love.

Confucius

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

Confucius

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.

Confucius

It is the law of nature that woman should be held under the dominance of man.

Confucius

It was by music that the ancient kings gave elegant expression to their joy. By their armies and axes they gave the same to their anger.

Confucius

It’s only in winter that the pine and cypress are known to be evergreens.

Confucius