Confucius

Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.

Confucius

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.

Confucius

What is necessary is to rectify names.

Confucius

What is over and done with, one does not discuss. What has already taken its course, one does not criticize; what already belongs to the past, one does not censure.

Confucius

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?

Confucius

What the great learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.

Confucius

When a man feels the difficulty of doing, can he be other than cautious and slow in speaking?

Confucius

When a man is guided by the principles of reciprocity and consciousness, he is not far from the moral law. Whatever you don’t wish for yourself don’t do unto others.

Confucius

When a nation or family is about to flourish, there are sure to be happy omens; and when it is about to perish, there are sure to be unlucky omens.

Confucius

When frying small fish, disturb them little.

Confucius