Wise Reminders From Confucius

Confucius, 551—479 BCE, was a Chinese philosopher and politician who was considered one of the most influential persons in human history. His teachings and philosophy are the foundation of East Asian society and culture. Below we list some of his words of wisdom.

"Keep it simple and focus on what matters. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed."

"Tell people - and they may forget...show them - they may remember...but involve them and they will understand."

"A great man is hard on himself; a small man is hard on others."

"Respect yourself and others will respect you."

"Happiness does not consist in having what you want, but in wanting what you have"

"Cultivate the root; the leaves and branches will take care of themselves."

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

"Three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth."

"The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man without trials."

"There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life -reciprocity."

"If you try to do too much, you will not achieve anything."

"The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life."

"We are so busy doing the urgent that we don't have time to do the important."

"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."

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

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

"Do not wish for quick results, nor look for small advantages. If you seek quick results, you will not reach the ultimate goal. If you are led astray by small advantages, you will never accomplish great things."

"Do not worry if others do not understand you. Instead worry if you do not understand others."

"Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others."

"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."

"I was complaining that I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet."

"Don't curse the darkness, light a candle."

"If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else."

"He who learns but does not think, is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger."

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

"Yin and yang, male and female, strong and weak, rigid and tender, heaven and earth, light and darkness, thunder and lightning, cold and warmth, good and evil...the interplay of opposite principles constitutes the universe."

"The gentleman calls attention to the good points in others; he does not call attention to their defects. The small man does just the reverse of this."

"You must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance."

"Every house guest brings you happiness. Some when they arrive, and some when they are leaving"

Copyright © Stephen Petullo, Scott Petullo