We all grew up with wise Confucius sayings, often with a double meaning. It is a remarkable testament to this legend and his ancient philosophical teachings to be known world around.
Confucius (c. 551 – c. 479 BCE), born Kong Qiu, was a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period. Much of the shared Chinese cultural beliefs originate in the philosophy and teachings of Confucius. His philosophical teachings, called Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, harmonious social relationships, righteousness, kindness, sincerity, and a ruler’s responsibilities to lead by virtue.
At the heart of the philosophy, recorded in analects, are several guiding principles:
* Ren (humaneness/benevolence): ultimate virtue of compassion, empathy, and altruism towards others.
* Li (ritual/propriety): rules of proper behaviour, manners, and rituals that structure society and guide how people interact respectfully.
* Xiao (filial piety): deep respect and devotion children owe their parents and ancestors, forming the foundation of all moral behaviour.
Confucius recommended a robust family unit as the cornerstone for an ideal government. He championed the Silver Rule, or a negative form of the Golden Rule, advising, “Do not do unto others what you do not want done to yourself”. Superiors are expected to lead with benevolence and wisdom, while subordinates are expected to show respect and obedience.
Confucius viewed human nature as fundamentally good but needing cultivation through lifelong learning. Education is the primary tool for moral self-improvement and developing the social responsibility required to better society.
The time of Confucius’s life saw a rich diversity of thought, and was a formative period in China’s intellectual history. His ideas gained in prominence during the Warring States period. Under Emperor Wu of Han, Confucius’s ideas received official sanction, with affiliated works becoming mandatory readings for career paths leading to officialdom. During the Tang and Song dynasties, Confucianism developed into a system known in the West as Neo-Confucianism. In the 20th century, an intellectual movement emerged in the Republic of China that sought to apply Confucian ideology in a modern context, known as New Confucianism. From ancient dynasties to the modern era, Confucianism has integrated into the Chinese social fabric and way of life.
Confucius-style sayings expertly blend the profound philosophy of the ancient Chinese thinker with legendary “Confucius say…” one-liners. Following are some of the best quotes:
- “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
- “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.”
- “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
- “And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.”
- “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”
- “He who learns but does not think is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”
- “Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” (Often called the Silver Rule)
- “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”
- “The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”
- “To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.”
- “If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.”
- “To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.”
- “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”
- “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”
- “Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.”
- “Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.”
- “Study the past, if you would divine the future.”
- “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.”
- “To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.”
- “A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.”
- “If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.”
- “I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the centre of your being.”
- “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.”
- “Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.”
- “We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.”
Unverified ( most likely not) “Confucius says…” one liners for you:
- “Many hands make light work.”
- “Man who make mistakes in elevator is wrong on many levels.”
- “Man who stand on toilet is high on pot.”
- “Man who run in front of car get tired. Man who run behind car get exhausted.”
- “Man who falls in vat of molten glass makes spectacle of self.”
- “Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day long.”
- “Man on viagra at airport is going to Bangkok.”
- “He who fishes in other man’s well often catches crabs.”
Definitely not Confucius but my own… it could have been though!!
- “Man with big eyebrows, sees less rain.”