Confucius Quotes

Powerful Confucius for Daily Growth

About Confucius

Confucius (Kong Qui, 551 BCE – 479 BCE), born in the Chinese state of Lu, is one of the world's most influential philosophers, revered as a founder of the Chinese civilization and the ethical and religious system known as Confucianism. Confucius was not just a philosopher but also a political figure, an educator, and a great thinker of his time. As a child, he witnessed the chaos that engulfed Lu due to the rule of the Duke of Zeng, which deepened his desire for harmony and order. He began his career as a bureaucrat, but dissatisfied with the political situation, he focused on teaching and developing a moral and social system that could guide individuals and communities. Confucius' teachings were primarily recorded in "The Analects," a collection of sayings attributed to him and his followers. This work reflects his philosophy on personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity. Another significant work, the "Great Learning" focuses on self-cultivation as a means of creating social harmony through individual moral development. His other major works include "The Doctrine of the Mean," which expounds Confucianism's central ethical and metaphysical concepts, and "Mencius," a collection of dialogues that discuss Confucian ethics and metaphysics. Confucius' teachings were not immediately accepted; it was during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) that Confucianism gained prominence as a state orthodoxy. Today, Confucian thought continues to influence Chinese culture, politics, and philosophy significantly. His famous quotes like "Do not do unto others what you would not want them to do to you," and "Study the past if you would define the future" remain relevant and profound in contemporary society.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Man who move mountain begin by picking up small stone."

This quote by Confucius suggests that every significant task or challenge can be achieved through a series of small, consistent efforts. Just as moving a mountain seems impossible at first glance, it becomes achievable when one starts with small actions like picking up a stone. This metaphor encourages perseverance and the understanding that great achievements are often the result of persistent small steps over time.


"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

This quote by Confucius emphasizes resilience and perseverance as key virtues. It suggests that our true greatness lies not in the absence of failure or difficulties, but in our ability to rise again after experiencing setbacks. In other words, it is more important to pick ourselves up when we stumble, than to never fall at all. This perspective encourages us to develop a mindset that embraces challenges and learning from them, rather than fearing them.


"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."

Confucius suggests that there are three primary ways to gain wisdom: 1. Reflection: This is the noblest method as it involves introspection, contemplation, and deep thinking about our own thoughts, beliefs, and actions. It's a process of self-discovery and growth through critical analysis. 2. Imitation: This is the easiest approach since it requires learning from others who have already walked the path we wish to follow. It involves observation, understanding, and emulation of wise individuals or role models. 3. Experience: This method comes with a price – it's bitter because experiencing life's challenges often leads to hardship and pain. However, these trials are powerful teachers that can provide valuable lessons and insights if we are open to learning from them. In essence, Confucius encourages us to seek wisdom proactively and persistently, using a combination of self-reflection, learning from others, and life experiences as our guideposts along the journey toward wisdom.


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

This quote underscores the importance of persistence over speed in achieving one's goals. It suggests that progress, no matter how small or gradual, is better than no progress at all. The message encourages us to keep going, even when we feel stuck or discouraged, because every step brings us closer to our objectives.


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

This quote by Confucius suggests that focusing on positive thoughts has a transformative effect, both personally and collectively. By cultivating a mindset of goodness, we improve our own environment and contribute to the betterment of society as a whole. Essentially, it emphasizes the power of individual thought in shaping personal realities and collective destinies positively.


Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.

- Confucius

Solid Foundation, Solid, Virtues

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

- Confucius

Yourself, Desire, Others, Impose

A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.

- Confucius

Deeds, Ashamed, His, Match

Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, seek to be worthy of being known.

- Confucius

Think, Concerned, May, Worthy

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

- Confucius

Practice, Circumstances, Generosity

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

- Confucius

Art, Give, Gods, Asked

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

- Confucius

Friendship, Never, Better, Contract

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.

- Confucius

Teacher, Bad, Other, Points

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

- Confucius

Life, Complicated, Making, Insist

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

- Confucius

Book, Need, Very, Salesman

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.

- Confucius

Motivational, Door, Desire, Potential

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

- Confucius

Beginning, See, Wickedness, Wicked

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

- Confucius

Man, Never, Give, Sword

Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.

- Confucius

Death, Riches, Appointments, Honors

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.

- Confucius

Wisdom, May, Which, Imitation

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

- Confucius

Wisdom, Obvious, Reached, Adjust

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

- Confucius

Motivational, Stop, How, Slowly

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

- Confucius

Business, Superior, Inferior, Understands

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

- Confucius

Change, Men, Never, Stupidest

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

- Confucius

Remember, Brainy, I Remember, Hear

I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.

- Confucius

Remember, Brainy, I Remember, Hear

A youth, when at home, should be filial and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies.

- Confucius

Love, Employ, Polite, Elders

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

- Confucius

Perfect, Depend, Sharpen, Diligence

To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men; and the employment of the people at the proper seasons.

- Confucius

Love, Reverent, Expenditure, Employment

Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.

- Confucius

Speak, Look, Which, Propriety

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

- Confucius

Alone, Will, Left, Practices

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.

- Confucius

Men, Superior, His, Distressed

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

- Confucius

Remember, Continue, Unless, Wronged

You cannot open a book without learning something.

- Confucius

Learning, Book, Cannot, Open

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

- Confucius

Travel, Go, Your, Wherever

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