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Virtue Quotes by Confucius

59 Virtue quotes by Confucius

All Virtue quotes Confucius’s page

Confucius teaches that virtue is practical, beginning with order in a nation. He lists three universal virtues—wisdom, humanity, courage—and says the middle way is a rare but lasting path to good character. He also notes that simple, firm, and unpretentious people are closest to virtue.

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He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.

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Virtue is not solitary; it is bound to have neighbors

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Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue.

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The contrived language and the flattering attitude rarely come with the virtue.

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Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

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The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

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The virtuous man is driven by responsibility, the non-virtuous man is driven by profit.

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Those who are firm, enduring, simple and unpretentious are the nearest to virtue.

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Think no vice so small that you may commit it, and no virtue so small that you may over look it.

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The Master said, I set my heart on the Way, base myself on virtue, lean upon benevolence for support and take my…

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I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue would…

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Fix your mind on truth, hold firm to virtue, rely on loving kindness, and find your recreation in the Arts.

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One who has accumulated virtue will certainly also possess eloquence; but he who has eloquence doe not necessarily possess virtue.

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

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There are three things against which the wise man guards: lust when young, quarrels when strong, and covetousness when old.

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The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he…

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It is the way of the superior man to prefer the concealment of his virtue, while it daily becomes more illustrious, and…

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If the people are governed by laws and punishment is used to maintain order, they will try to avoid the punishment but…

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Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior…

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If one leads them with administrative measures and uses punishments to make them conform, the people will be evasive, but if one…

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Guide them by edicts, keep them in line with punishments, and the common people will stay out of trouble but will have…

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The determined scholar and the man of virtue will not seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. They will…

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“To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity,…

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The higher type of man clings to virtue, the lower type of man clings to material comfort. The higher type of man…

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“The Master said, "I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who…

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How great is the path proper to the Sage! Like overflowing water, it sends forth and nourishes all things, and rises up…

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In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate the world with virtue first brought order to their nations. Wishing to order well…

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The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

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Those who make virtue their profession are the ruin of virtue.

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Heaven is author of the virtue that is in me

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Heaven begat Virtue in me; what can man do unto me?

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

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Virtue is never left to stand alone. He who has it will have neighbors.

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I have never seen a man as fond of virtue as of women.

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Only by perfect virtue can the perfect path, in all its courses, be made a fact.

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

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People with virtue must speak out; People who speak are not all virtuous.

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If you devote your life to seeking revenge, first dig two graves.

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I have not seen one who loves virtue as he loves beauty.

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To know your faults and be able to change is the greatest virtue.

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More by Confucius

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

The superior man is distressed by his want (lack) of ability

In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate the world with virtue first brought order to their nations. Wishing to order well their nations,…

Better than the one who knows what is right is the one who loves what is right.

Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.

I live in a very small house, but my windows look out on a very large world.

To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men;…

The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.

To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.

A picture is poem without words.

Heaven means to be one with God.

Does Heaven ever speak? The four seasons come and go, and all creatures thrive and grow. Does Heaven ever speak!

To study and at times practice what one has learned, is this not a pleasure?

Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

There is only one thing in life which never changes, and it is change.