As the water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it, so a wise man adapts himself to circumstances. — Confucius Copy Share Image
There are three marks of a superior man: being virtuous, he is free from anxiety; being wise, he is free from perplexity;… — Confucius Copy Share Image
The Path is not far from man. When men try to pursue a course, which is far from the common indications of… — Confucius Copy Share Image
The Master said, “The gentleman understands what is right, whereas the petty man understands profit.” (Analects 4.16) — Confucius Copy Share Image
While you are not able to serve men, how can you serve spirits of the dead...While you do not know life, how… — Confucius Copy Share Image
The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for… — Confucius Copy Share Image
That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate… — Confucius Copy Share Image
Without that innate sense of human worth, a man cannot long endure adversity, nor can he long enjoy prosperity. — Confucius Copy Share Image
A superior man may be made to go to the well, but he cannot be made to go down into it. He… — Confucius Copy Share Image
The superior man is easy to serve, but difficult to please ... The inferior man is difficult to serve, but easy to please. — Confucius Copy Share Image
The man of perfect virtue, wishing to be established himself, seeks also to establish others; wishing to be enlarged himself, he seeks… — Confucius Copy Share Image
Men of principle are sure to be bold, but those who are bold may not always be men of principle. — Confucius Copy Share Image
Let a man be stimulated by poetry, established by the rules of propriety, and perfected by music. — Confucius Copy Share Image
The wise man admires water, the kind man admires mountains. The wise man moves, the kind man rests. The wise man is… — Confucius Copy Share Image
The man of wisdom is never of two minds; the man of benevolence never worries; the man of courage is never afraid. — Confucius Copy Share Image
A man of humanity is one who, in seeking to establish himself, finds a foothold for others and who, in desiring attaining… — Confucius Copy Share Image
A man is great not because he hasn't failed; a man is great because failure hasn't stopped him. — Confucius Copy Share Image
The good man does not grieve that other people do not recognize his merits. His only anxiety is lest he should fail… — Confucius Copy Share Image
If a man is not good, what has he to do with the rules of propriety? If he is not good, what… — Confucius Copy Share Image
In antiquity men studied for their own sake; nowadays men study for the sake of impressing others. — Confucius Copy Share Image
A wise man seeks by music to strengthen his soul: the thoughtless one uses it to stifle his fears. — Confucius Copy Share Image
The superior man accords with the course of the Mean. Though he may be all unknown, unregarded by the world, he feels… — Confucius Copy Share Image
Great is the man who can overcome the world, but greater still is the man who can overcome himself, for he will… — Confucius Copy Share Image
Of neighborhoods, benevolence is the most beautiful. How can the man be considered wise who when he had the choice does not… — Confucius Copy Share Image
The superior man, extensively studying all learning, and keeping himself under the restraint of the rules of propriety, may thus likewise not… — Confucius Copy Share Image
The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not… — Confucius Copy Share Image
Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his… — Confucius Copy Share Image
The superior man sets his person at rest before he moves; he composes his mind before he speaks. — Confucius Copy Share Image
If a man has no humaneness what can his propriety be like? If a man has no humaneness what can his happiness… — Confucius Copy Share Image
Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others. — Confucius Copy Share
In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate the world with virtue first brought order to their nations. Wishing to order well their nations,… — Confucius Copy Share
Better than the one who knows what is right is the one who loves what is right. — Confucius Copy Share
Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge. — Confucius Copy Share
To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men;… — Confucius Copy Share
Does Heaven ever speak? The four seasons come and go, and all creatures thrive and grow. Does Heaven ever speak! — Confucius Copy Share
