The real name of the person known in Europe as Confucius is Kun Qiu, however, in literature one can often see such variants as Kun Tzu, Kung Fu Tzu or simply Tzu, which means “teacher”. Confucius is a great ancient Chinese philosopher, thinker, sage, founder of a philosophical system called “Confucianism.” His teaching became significant factor spiritual, political development of China, East Asia, among all thinkers ancient world he holds the status of one of the greatest. The teachings of Confucius were based on the natural human need for happiness; various issues of life well-being and ethics were considered.
Confucius was born around 551 BC. e. in Qufu (modern Shandong province) and was a descendant of an aristocratic impoverished family, the son of an elderly official and his young concubine. From childhood, he knew what hard work and need were. Hard work, curiosity and awareness of the need to be a cultured person encouraged him to follow the path of self-education and self-improvement. In his youth he worked as a caretaker of warehouses and state lands, but his calling was different - to teach others. He started doing this at the age of 22, became the first private Chinese teacher, and subsequently gained fame as the most famous teacher in the Middle Kingdom. In the open to them private school accepted students without regard and on their material condition and nobility of origin.
Sayings, quotes and aphorisms of Confucius
Noble people live in harmony with other people, but do not follow other people; lowly people follow other people, but do not live in harmony with them.
When the paths are not the same, they do not make plans together.
A wise man knows no worries, a humane man knows no worries, a brave man knows no fear.
We trust our eyes - but they cannot be trusted; we rely on ours heart - but you shouldn’t rely on it either. Remember, students: it is truly not easy to know a person!
A noble husband is serene in his soul. Short person always concerned.
People in ancient times did not like to talk much. They considered it a shame for themselves not to keep up with their own words.
People want wealth and fame for themselves; if both cannot be obtained honestly, they should be avoided.
Silence is a great friend that will never change.
A wise man is ashamed of his shortcomings, but is not ashamed to correct them.
A noble man blames himself, a small man blames others.
The only real one error - do not correct your past mistakes.
If you are overly zealous service , you will lose the favor of the sovereign. If you are overly cordial in your friendship, you will lose the favor of your friends.
If nature overshadows education in a person, the result is a savage, and if education overshadows nature, the result is a scholar of the scriptures. Only one in whom nature and education are in balance can be considered a worthy husband.
If we know so little about life, what can we know about death?
If he himself is direct, then everything will be done without orders. And if they themselves are not straight, they will not obey, even if they are ordered.
A noble husband must beware of three things in his life: in his youth, when vitality abundant, beware of infatuation with women; in maturity, when the vital forces are powerful, beware of rivalry; V old age when vitality is scarce, beware stinginess.
A noble husband thinks about the righteous path and does not think about food. He can work in the field - and be hungry. He can devote himself to teaching - and accept generous rewards. But a noble man is concerned about the righteous path and does not worry about poverty
A noble husband knows his superiority, but avoids competition. He gets along with everyone, but does not collude with anyone.
A noble husband does not strive to eat his fill and live richly. He is hasty in business, but slow in speech. Communicating with virtuous people, he corrects himself.
In relations with friends, advise them to do only what they are capable of doing, and lead them to goodness without violating decency, but do not try to act where there is no hope of success. Don't put yourself in a humiliating position.
At the age of fifteen I turned my thoughts to study. At thirty I became independent. At the age of forty I got rid of doubts. At the age of fifty I learned the will of heaven. At the age of sixty I learned to distinguish truth from falsehood. At seventy years old, I began to follow the desires of my heart.
Give instructions only to those who seek knowledge, having discovered their ignorance . Provide help only to those who do not know how to clearly express their cherished thoughts. Teach only those who are able, having learned about one corner of a square, to imagine the other three.
Even in the company of two people, I will certainly find something to learn from them. I will try to imitate their virtues, and I myself will learn from their shortcomings.
A noble husband does not expect deception from anyone, but when he is deceived, he is the first to notice it.
It is enough that the words express the meaning.
A worthy person does not follow in the footsteps of other people.
A noble husband helps people see what is good in them, and does not teach people to see what is bad in them. But a short person does the opposite.
A noble husband values duty above all else. A noble man, endowed with courage, but ignorant of duty, can indulge in robbery.
A noble husband, attached to the comforts of home, is not worthy to be called such.
Let neither friendship blind you to the shortcomings of your friend, nor hatred about good qualities your enemy.
Philanthropy for the people more necessary than fire and water . I have seen people die from fire and water, but I have not seen anyone die from love of humanity.
Noble husband with dignity awaits the commands of heaven. A short man fussily waits for luck.
A noble husband endures adversity with fortitude. And a low man in trouble blossoms.
A noble man knows only duty, a low man knows only benefit.
Blessed is the one who knows nothing: he does not risk being misunderstood.
When away from home, behave as if you are receiving honored guests. When using the services of people, behave as if you were performing a solemn ceremony. Don't do to others what you wouldn't want for yourself. Then there will be no discontent either in the state or in the family.
Be hard on yourself and gentle on others. This way you will protect yourself from human hostility.
In ancient times, people studied in order to improve themselves. Nowadays they study in order to surprise others.
To control oneself so much as to respect others as oneself, and to do with them as we wish to be treated with us - this is what can be called the doctrine of philanthropy.
In a country where there is order, be bold in both actions and speeches. In a country where there is no order, be bold in your actions, but careful in your speech.
Virtue will not remain alone. She will definitely have neighbours .
A worthy person cannot but possess a breadth of knowledge and fortitude. His burden is heavy and his path is long. Humanity is the burden he carries: is it heavy? Only death completes his journey: is it long?
If you have the opportunity to show mercy , don’t even let the teacher pass ahead.
If you don't have bad thoughts, you won't have bad actions.
If a person is firm, decisive, simple and quiet, then he is already close to humanity.
To complain about an unpleasant thing is to double the evil; to laugh at her is to destroy him.
Of all crimes, the most serious is heartlessness.
Sophisticated words destroy virtue. Intemperance in small things will ruin a great cause.
A truly humane husband achieves everything through his own efforts.
Everyone can become a noble husband. You just need to decide to become one.
Everyone makes mistakes depending on their bias. Look closely at a person’s mistakes and you will recognize the degree of his humanity.
How can you deal with someone you can't trust? If a cart doesn't have an axle, how can you ride in it?
How can we know what death is when we do not yet know what life ?
Young people should not be looked down upon. It is very possible that, having matured, they will become outstanding men. Only those who have achieved nothing, having lived to be forty or fifty years old, do not deserve respect.
When the state governed according to reason, poverty and need are shameful; when the state is not governed in accordance with reason, then wealth and honor are shameful.
When they proceed only from profit, they multiply anger.
When you don’t know words, there’s no way to get to know people.
Observe a person’s behavior, delve into the reasons for his actions, look closely at him during leisure hours. Will he then remain a mystery to you?
Don't worry about people not knowing you, but worry about not knowing people.
Don't worry about not having a high rank. Worry about whether you are worthy to have a high rank. Don't worry about not being known. Worry about whether you are worthy of being known.
Don't complain about snow on your neighbor's roof if your own threshold isn't cleared.
Do not have friends who are inferior to you in moral terms.
Someone asked: “Is it true that they say that evil must be repaid with good?” The teacher said: “Then how to pay for good? Evil must be paid for justice , and for good - good."
It is not easy to meet a person who, having devoted three years of his life to teaching, would not dream of occupying a high position.
I’m not upset if people don’t understand me, I’m upset if I don’t understand people.
Do not be sad that no one knows you, but strive to be someone who can be known.
Not talking to a person who is worthy of talking means losing a person. And talking to a person who is not worthy of conversation means losing words. The wise man loses neither people nor words.
Changes do not occur only with the highest wisdom and the lowest stupidity.
Without knowing fate, you cannot become a noble husband. Without knowing what you should, you cannot find support in life. Without learning to understand the true meaning of words, you cannot know people.
Without mastering decency, you will not establish yourself.
One day Confucius was passing near the mountain. Some kind of woman I cried out loud over the grave. Bowing as a sign of respect on the front of the chariot, Confucius listened to her sobs. And then he sent his student to that woman, and he asked her: “Are you grieving like this - it seems like this is not the first time you’ve grieved?”
“So it is,” the woman answered. - Once upon a time, my father-in-law died from the claws of typhus. Later my husband died from them. And now my son died from them.
- Why don’t you leave these places? - asked Confucius.
“There are no cruel authorities here,” the woman answered.
“Remember this, student,” said Confucius. - Cruel power is fiercer than a tiger.
Evaluating worldly affairs, a noble man neither rejects nor approves of anything, but measures everything with justice.
A person has three paths to reason: the path of reflection is the most noble; the path of imitation is the easiest; path personal experience- the hardest path.
Pay for evil with sincerity, and pay for good with goodness.
Helpful friends are a straightforward friend, a sincere friend and a friend who has heard a lot. Harmful friends are a hypocritical friend, an insincere friend and a talkative friend.
Try to be at least a little kinder - and you will see that you will not be able to commit a bad act.
By their natural inclinations people are close to each other, but by their habits they are far from each other.
Visit and listen evil people- this is already the beginning of an evil deed.
Sending people to war untrained means betraying them.
Reverence without knowledge of what is due turns into self-torture. Caution without knowing what is proper turns into cowardice. Bravery without proper knowledge turns into recklessness. Straightforwardness without knowledge of what is due turns into rudeness. If the sovereign honors his parents, then the common people will be humane. If a master does not forget old friends, then his servants will not be soulless.
A respectful son is one who upsets his father and mother only with his illness.
To overcome oneself and return to what is proper in oneself is what true humanity . To be humane or not to be - it depends only on ourselves.
It is wonderful where mercy resides. Is it possible to achieve wisdom if you do not live in its region?
When you meet a worthy person, think about how to become equal to him. When dating a low person, take a closer look at yourself and judge yourself.
Three mistakes are made next to a noble husband: speaking to him when words do not reach him is rashness; not to speak when the words would reach him is secrecy; and to speak without observing his expression is blindness.
The most worthy men escaped the shackles of the whole world, followed by those who escaped attachment to a certain place, followed by those who escaped the temptations of the flesh, followed by those who were able to avoid slander.
The secret of good government: let the ruler be the ruler, the subject the subject, the father the father, and the son the son.
An angry person is always full of poison.
The word must be true, the action must be decisive.
When serving your father and mother, exhort them as gently as possible. If your advice does not work, remain respectful and humble. Even if you are annoyed in your heart, do not express your dissatisfaction.
A perfect person looks for everything in himself, an insignificant person - in others.
Archery teaches us how to seek the truth. When a shooter misses, he does not blame others, but looks for the blame in himself.
Building relationships correctly is most difficult with women and low people. If you bring them closer to you, they will become cheeky; if you move them away from you, they will hate you.
It is not worth reasoning with a scientist who, while striving for the truth, is at the same time ashamed of bad clothes and bad food.
Those who do not think about distant difficulties will certainly face near-term troubles.
Only a truly humane person is capable of both loving and hating.
Only the wisest and the stupidest are not teachable.
Anyone who, having lived to forty years, causes only hostility, is a complete person.
Anyone who speaks beautifully and has an attractive appearance is rarely truly human.
He who cannot instruct his family to goodness cannot learn himself.
Anyone who, turning to the old, is able to discover new things, is worthy of being a teacher.
Anyone who learns without thinking will fall into error. Anyone who thinks without wanting to learn will find himself in difficulty.
To respect every person as ourselves, and to treat him as we wish to be treated—there is nothing higher than this.
Rule the people with dignity , and people will be respectful. Treat people kindly and people will work hard. Exalt the virtuous and instruct the unlearned, and people will trust you.
A restrained person has fewer mistakes.
Having learned the truth in the morning, you can die in the evening.
Learning without reflection is useless, but reflection without learning is also dangerous.
Study as if you cannot gain and as if you are afraid of losing.
The teacher said: “My case seems hopeless. I have not yet met a person who, knowing about his mistakes, would admit his guilt to himself.”
Study as if you constantly feel the lack of your knowledge, and as if you are constantly afraid of losing your knowledge.
To study and, when the time comes, to apply what you have learned to work - isn’t it wonderful!
The most accessible life lessons for a person to understand. They inspire people very effectively. Human-human interactions are built on important life principles that many try to adhere to. Many sages expressed their rules of life, the eastern countries were especially famous for this. Many people are familiar with the name of the famous Chinese thinker Confucius. Sayings, wise aphorisms and quotes from geniuses fill the pages of books and websites.
This man created an entire doctrine, which is also called religion - Confucianism. Morals, ethics and principles of life are inherent in this teaching. Quotes, aphorisms and wise sayings of Confucius indicate that the sage dreamed of building a harmonious and highly moral society. The golden rule of his ethics was: “Do not do to others what you do not wish for yourself.” People perceive the aphorisms and sayings of Confucius very sensitively. The teaching of genius has been popular for 20 centuries. Get to know this legendary figure, the sayings of Confucius and their explanation.
The Long Road to Wisdom
Sometimes they shout to a person with special mental abilities: “You’re like Confucius!” The sayings of the Chinese sage make you touch the origins of his wisdom and reread his aphoristic sayings. Is there some centuries-old secret of Eastern wisdom, is it different from the usual Western one? In the course of our analysis of the sayings of Confucius, this will become clear to you.
Where did the origins of the wisdom of the Chinese genius come from? Let's start a little with the childhood of a teacher from the Kun family or Kung Fu Tzu, as he was called in his homeland in China. The name Confucius is considered to be a Latinized form. The teacher lived from 551 to 479 BC. e. Many of the sayings of Chinese Confucius have survived to this day, thanks to the retellings and recordings of later interpreters and students.
The sage was born in the village of Qufu, in Shandong province. He belongs to an ancient aristocratic, albeit impoverished, family. His father married three times in order to obtain a worthy heir. This is exactly what the future thinker became. And although the father died three years later, the mother gave her son a highly moral upbringing. In many ways, the formation of Confucius’s ideas about an ideal society and a harmonious person is due to the pure spiritual qualities of this highly moral woman.
The absence of his father in the house forced the young man to work early. He educated himself and searched for the truth. He learned to read early and tried to comprehend all the lines he learned. In Confucius's statements about work and life, one can feel the fusion of thoughts of his worthy predecessors. He worked as a caretaker of warehouses and state lands. But this position did not bring him satisfaction. At the age of 22, the young man became a private Chinese teacher. Having already become a sought-after specialist, he began to teach children from different segments of the population, without paying attention to their well-being.
In communication with people, in the wanderings of the sage, the most acute smart sayings Confucius about man. This led him to receive the prestigious position of Minister of Justice. Here he had envious people and slanderers who contributed to the expulsion of the minister from his native land. Confucius began to travel and preach. He went on this pilgrimage for 13 years. In all corners of China, wise sayings of Confucius about creativity, family, and relationships between people were heard.
Returning to his native land, the thinker began to engage in teaching activities. By the end of his life he had trained about three thousand people. Philosophy became the basis of his postulates. Biographers even claim that the Teacher knew the date of his death in advance. As soon as he passed away, the Chinese noticed his absence in the country's culture. But Confucianism received many followers and successors. From 136 BC. e. it is an official religious cult in China. Confucius became a deity and temples were named after him. Only in the 20th century, after the Xinhai Revolution, did centuries-old authorities begin to be overthrown.
Disciples of Confucius collected all his wise aphorisms and quotes in the book "Conversations and Judgments." IN European countries it is called "Analects of Confucius". Analects are quotes, apt sayings, short poems. We worked on this unique collection for half a century. His sayings teach humanity, piety, respect for elders and explain other moral and ethical foundations of society.
How do our contemporaries see Confucius? After the communist denials of the teachings of Confucius, sobering up finally came. IN last years The Chinese again became interested in Confucianism and the personality of the Teacher. Many tourists go to the places of his wanderings and hold memorial events in his honor. The teachings of the philosopher were again included in the educational programs of Chinese schoolchildren and students.
Vision of good and evil, virtue and vice
A lot of aphorisms and sayings of Confucius are devoted to thoughts about existence, good and evil. The thinker saw a commonality between the laws of nature and human development. He had confidence in subordinating everything in the world to a single algorithm. The philosopher himself studied well and comprehended all the teachings of his predecessors. Some people today question Christian tenets. For example, not everyone can understand why evil must be answered with good. Many people wonder how to relate to the insults inflicted on us; should we respond in kind?
In the raging ocean of everyday passions, quotes from Confucius can become a reliable compass, sometimes a little paradoxical, a little outside the usual system of values. The Chinese Master believed that evil should be punished justly, and good people you need to respond kindly. A bit of an unexpected decision compared to Christianity. Confucius placed the measure of justice in the hands of the person himself, acting according to circumstances. He also did not deny that someone is watching people from above and rewarding them for their merits and justice. Here are his most bright sayings in this direction:
- It is important to be strict with yourself and gentle with others, this is how people’s hostility is protected.
- If you show more kindness, then there will be no place for bad deeds in life.
- Virtue is not alone, it always has neighbors.
- If you can show mercy, then do it even without prompting from the teacher.
- Wisdom can only be achieved by showing mercy.
About the nobility of the soul
Many of the sage's sayings are dedicated to nobility. Sometimes they also contradict the point of view of daily experience. Let's give an example of the maxim: “A noble person helps you see only the good in yourself, while a low person points out the bad.” However, one cannot draw a line between man and life. The paradoxes of Confucius make you think, reflect, and debate. Here, for example, is a controversial statement: “A noble person who lives only in the comforts of home cannot be called such.” Here is another selection of quotes on this topic:
- The noble ones are characterized by serenity. Low people are always preoccupied with something.
- A noble person lives in harmony with others, but does not imitate them, and a lowly person imitates others, but does not live in harmony with them.
- It is not natural for a noble person to deceive, but he immediately notices deception on the part of others.
- A noble husband gives himself to duty, and a lowly one to luck.
- The noble one does not see the point in food and wealth, he does things and speaks little. This person is constantly learning and correcting himself.
About love, man and woman, parents and children, friends
Confucius has many sayings and aphorisms that describe various relationships: family, friendship, love. After all, friends and our environment often bring us joy, but sometimes disappointment. The philosopher has a lot of advice on this matter. Everyone can find something useful in them:
- It is difficult to build correct relationships with women and low people. Approaching oneself leads to their swagger, and moving away leads to hatred.
- A respectful son can be called one who brings grief to his parents only through illness.
- It's better not to deal with a person you don't trust. After all, it is impossible to ride a cart without an axle.
- Friends need to be helped and taught to do good, but there is no need to put yourself in a humiliating position in front of those who cannot be changed.
- You should not show excessive cordiality in friendship, this can lead to loss of favor with friends.
Confucius also had sayings about love. He called love the beginning and end of everything that exists. The sage worshiped love and believed that without it there is no life.
About complex human vicissitudes
Confucius believed that only true sages and fools cannot be taught. He valued knowledge very much and considered it supreme goal self-respecting person. He studied throughout his life and passed on wisdom to his followers. Today we too can enjoy this bottomless source of wisdom. Here are his sayings on this matter:
- You need to study as if you constantly lack knowledge or are afraid of losing it.
- Bravery without knowledge is recklessness, respect without knowledge is self-torture, caution without knowledge is cowardice, straightforwardness without knowledge is rudeness.
- There are no words to describe a scientist who seeks the truth, but is ashamed of poor clothing and rough food.
- You can endlessly enjoy a child walking confidently along the path of life after you have shown him the path.
- Through archery we can learn to seek truth. A missed shooter does not look for blame in others, but only in himself.
- Anyone who does not think about the future will face unexpected troubles.
- Anyone who does not teach to show kindness to his family does not learn himself.
- Anyone who does not reflect on the teaching is always mistaken. A person who thinks but does not want to learn finds himself in difficult situations.
- It is not common for a wise person to do to another what he would not wish for himself.
Success and achieving happiness
Confucius also did not ignore the issues of achieving goals and success in his sayings. In them he gives advice on how to deal with envious people and find balance. Many are familiar with his famous phrase on this matter: “If they spit in your back, it means you are going ahead.” Here are some more quotes:
- Man himself gives birth to his own misfortunes, and he himself cultivates happy moments.
- Happiness can be called understanding of people, great happiness - love from others, real happiness - your love for others.
- Three things cannot be returned back - time, word, opportunity. Conclusion: don’t waste time, choose your words, don’t miss opportunities.
- Don't look down on young people; when they grow up, they can become very talented husbands. Only those who have not achieved anything by the age of forty or fifty do not deserve attention.
- Only with the arrival of cold weather does it become clear that cypresses and pines are the last to shed their trim.
The meaning of experience, truth and human qualities
“One person curses the darkness all his life, and another lights a small candle,” this phrase betrays the moral experience of many generations. Unfortunately, there are many more critics than those who roll up their sleeves and correct something. The classic of Eastern ethics and philosophy accurately noted that hatred speaks of victory over you. He also noted that earlier people studied in order to improve, but now in order to surprise others with their knowledge. Here are some more apt sayings of the sage:
- If wealth and fame cannot be acquired honestly, then you need to avoid them. If you cannot avoid poverty and obscurity, then you need to accept them.
- People are brought together by natural inclinations, but separated by habits.
- In ancient times, verbosity was not accepted. Then it was shameful not to keep up with your words.
- The closest thing to humanity is a firm, decisive, simple and taciturn husband.
- Humanity is very close to us, we just have to desire it.
- A worthy person does not imitate others; he evaluates actions fairly.
Sayings of Confucius about life
The Chinese thinker was interested in everything, he was inquisitive, and preached kindness and philanthropy. He tries to embrace even something immense. Consider the following sayings of Confucius about life:
- A person cannot know what death is because he does not know what life is.
- Before you take revenge, dig two graves.
- If you watch a person, delve into his actions, take a closer look at his leisure time, then he will not be a mystery to you.
- Sometimes a person notices a lot, but does not see the main thing.
- To become human or not depends only on the person himself.
- Strive to be like worthy people, take a closer look at your shortcomings when meeting a low person.
- Advise only the one who strives for knowledge, help only the one who dreams of it, teach only the one who wants to comprehend more.
Sayings of Confucius on work and art
How often do people in companies begin to condemn certain politicians and public figures. Many people think that they would be better at one thing or another. They themselves cannot make sense of their own family or team. Here are some of Confucius's sayings about creativity and attitude towards subordinates:
- The most important thing in government is for the ruler to be a ruler, the subordinate to be the subordinate, the father to be the father, and the son to be the son.
- Don't hold yourself back in small things, it can ruin a great cause.
- There is no need to worry about not having a high rank; it is much more worrying to be worthy of this rank.
- Even when separated, Heaven and Earth do one thing.
- Everyone has the power to become a noble husband, you just need to decide to do it.
- The one who discovers something new by turning to the old is worthy of being a teacher.
- To earn the respect of people, you need to manage them with dignity. If you want people to work hard, treat them kindly.
- He who finds a job he likes will never work a single day in his life.
About myself
The world of amazing sayings and witty observations of the eastern sage is simply amazing! Some of his statements relate to Confucius himself:
- I need a lot of work to expand my knowledge, not to brag to others, not to feel tired, to teach others and not to be disappointed.
- I have never met a person who lived in solitude to achieve his goal, who followed what was necessary to realize his truth.
- Even among two people, I will find something to learn. I will emulate their strengths and learn from their weaknesses.
Each of you can choose from among the many sayings of Confucius a wise guide to life. This will help you cope with difficulties and choose the right path to wisdom.
A noble husband lives amicably with other people, but acts in his own way. A low person imitates those around him, but does not live in harmony with them.
There is peace of mind distinguishing feature a noble man. Simple people always worried about something.
The high soul blames itself, the low soul blames others.
Three things to avoid:
- in youth, when vital energy is abundant, avoid excessive hobby girls;
- V mature age When your health is still strong, avoid unnecessary competition;
- in old age, when your strength has weakened, avoid stinginess.
A noble person cares about the path of virtue and does not care about material gain. He can remain hungry while working in the field, or he can accept rich rewards. But he always thinks about righteousness and does not worry about possible poverty.
Possessing superiority, an exalted person nevertheless does not compete with anyone, trying to maintain harmony.
A noble husband has no desire to live in luxury and eat delicious dishes. His thoughts are aimed at doing good deeds.
Above all, for a noble husband, it is worth fulfilling his duty.
A noble man awaits the commands of Heaven with dignity. A low person waits for luck.
Wisdom knows no worries, courage knows no fear.
Happiness is when you are understood, great happiness is when you are loved, real happiness is when you love.
Confucius was once asked the question: “Is it right to return good for evil?”
To which he replied: “You need to respond to good with good, and you need to respond to evil with justice.”
Having learned the truth in the morning, you can die in the evening.
Anyone who speaks beautifully and has an attractive appearance is rarely truly human.
I don’t get upset if people don’t understand me, I get upset if I don’t understand people.
If you study without thinking, you fall into error. If you think without wanting to learn, you end up in error.
Out of ten huts in any place you can find a person not inferior to me in virtue. But in love for learning, no one can compare with me.
If you want to feed a person once, give him a fish. If you want to feed him for life, teach him to fish.
A person has three ways to act wisely: the first, the most noble, is reflection; the second, the easiest, is imitation; the third, the most bitter, is experience.
You can curse the darkness all your life, or you can light a small candle.
We take advice in drops, but give it in buckets.
If you hate, it means you have been defeated.
In a country where there is order, be bold in both actions and speeches. In a country where there is no order, be bold in your actions, but careful in your speech.
The attraction of hearts gives birth to friendship, the attraction of the mind - respect, the attraction of bodies - passion, and only all three together give birth to love.
Never tell anything good or bad about yourself. In the first case, they won’t believe you, and in the second, they will embellish it.
Before you take revenge, dig two graves.
Give instructions only to those who seek knowledge after discovering their ignorance.
In fact, life is simple, but we persistently complicate it.
Intemperance in small things will ruin a great cause.
Tell me and I will forget, show me and I will remember, let me do it and I will understand.
People in ancient times did not like to talk much. They considered it a shame for themselves not to keep up with their own words.
Only today, not tomorrow, can you overcome bad habits.
Three things never come back - time, word, opportunity. Therefore: do not waste time, choose your words, do not miss the opportunity.
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a single day in your life.
In ancient times, people studied in order to improve themselves. Nowadays people study in order to surprise others.
If they spit in your back, it means you are ahead.
Not talking to a person who is worthy of talking means losing a person. And talking to a person who is not worthy of conversation means losing words. The wise man loses neither people nor words.
When it's obvious that a goal is unattainable, don't change the goal—change your action plan.
You can't regret anything in this life. It happened - draw a conclusion and move on with your life.
Sometimes it's worth making a mistake, if only to know why you shouldn't have made it.
Consider whether what you promise is true and possible, for a promise is a duty.
When the state is governed according to reason, poverty and want are shameful; when the state is not governed according to reason, wealth and honor are shameful.
It doesn’t matter how fast you move towards your goal, the main thing is not to stop.
The best fighter is the one who wins without fighting.
Those who do not think about distant difficulties will certainly face near-term troubles.
There are three useful friends and three harmful ones. Helpful friends are a straightforward friend, a sincere friend and a friend who has heard a lot. Harmful friends are a hypocritical friend, an insincere friend and a talkative friend.
A person who makes a mistake and does not correct it has made another mistake.
I don't understand how you can deal with a person you can't trust? If a cart doesn't have an axle, how can you ride it?
Seeing good in front of me, I run forward as if I’m afraid to fall behind. Seeing evil in front of me, I run away as if I had stepped foot into boiling water.
Young people should not be looked down upon. It is very possible that as they grow up, they will become outstanding men. Only those who have achieved nothing, having lived to be forty or fifty years old, do not deserve respect.
If you have the opportunity to show mercy, do not even let the teacher go ahead.
The noble one faces the wrath and mercy of the superiors with equal dignity.
If the sovereign honors his parents, then the common people will be humane. If a master does not forget old friends, then his servants will not be soulless.
Rule the people with dignity and the people will be respectful. Treat people kindly and people will work hard. Exalt the virtuous and instruct the unlearned, and people will trust you.
A respectful son is one who upsets his father and mother only with his illness.
Chapter seven. Sayings of Confucius on life and love
When morality is not improved, what has been learned is not repeated, hearing about the principles of duty, unable to follow them, unable to correct bad deeds, I mourn.
Noble people live in harmony with other people, but do not follow other people; lowly people follow other people, but do not live in harmony with them.
When the paths are not the same, they do not make plans together.
A wise man knows no worries, a humane man knows no worries, a brave man knows no fear.
A noble husband is serene in his soul. A low person is always preoccupied.
People in ancient times did not like to talk much. They considered it a shame for themselves not to keep up with their own words.
People are afraid of poverty and obscurity; if both cannot be avoided without losing honor, they should be accepted.
Silence is a great friend that will never change.
A wise man is ashamed of his shortcomings, but is not ashamed to correct them.
A noble man blames himself, a small man blames others.
The only real mistake is not correcting your past mistakes.
If nature overshadows education in a person, the result is a savage, and if education overshadows nature, the result is a scholar of the scriptures. Only one in whom nature and education are in balance can be considered a worthy husband.
A noble husband must beware of three things in his life: in his youth, when vitality is abundant, beware of infatuation with women; in maturity, when the vital forces are powerful, beware of rivalry; in old age, when vitality is scarce, beware of stinginess.
A noble husband thinks about the righteous path and does not think about food. He can work in the field - and be hungry. He can devote himself to teaching - and receive generous rewards. But a noble man worries about the righteous path and does not worry about poverty.
A noble husband knows his superiority, but avoids competition. He gets along with everyone, but does not collude with anyone.
A noble husband does not strive to eat his fill and live richly. He is hasty in business, but slow in speech. Communicating with virtuous people, he corrects himself.
In relations with friends, advise them to do only what they are capable of doing, and lead them to goodness without violating decency, but do not try to act where there is no hope of success. Don't put yourself in a humiliating position.
Give instructions only to those who seek knowledge after discovering their ignorance. Provide help only to those who do not know how to clearly express their cherished thoughts. Teach only those who are able, having learned about one corner of a square, to imagine the other three.
Even in the company of two people, I will certainly find something to learn from them. I will try to imitate their virtues, and I myself will learn from their shortcomings.
A noble husband does not expect deception from anyone, but when he is deceived, he is the first to notice it.
It is enough that the words express the meaning.
A worthy person does not follow in the footsteps of other people.
A noble husband values duty above all else. A noble man, endowed with courage, but ignorant of duty, can indulge in robbery.
For the people, philanthropy is more necessary than fire and water. I have seen people die from fire and water, but I have not seen anyone die from love of humanity.
A noble husband endures adversity with fortitude. And a low man in trouble blossoms.
Blessed is the one who knows nothing: he does not risk being misunderstood.
When away from home, behave as if you are receiving honored guests. When using the services of people, behave as if you were performing a solemn ceremony. Don't do to others what you wouldn't want for yourself. Then there will be no discontent either in the state or in the family.
Be hard on yourself and gentle on others. This way you will protect yourself from human hostility.
In ancient times, people studied in order to improve themselves. Nowadays they study in order to surprise others.
In a country where there is order, be bold in both actions and speeches. In a country where there is no order, be bold in your actions, but careful in your speech.
Virtue will not remain alone. She will definitely have neighbors.
A worthy person cannot but possess a breadth of knowledge and fortitude. His burden is heavy and his path is long. Humanity is the burden he carries: is it heavy? Only death completes his journey: is it long?
If you have the opportunity to show mercy, do not even let the teacher go ahead.
If you don't have bad thoughts, you won't have bad actions.
If a person is firm, decisive, simple and quiet, then he is already close to humanity.
A truly humane husband achieves everything through his own efforts.
Everyone can become a noble husband. You just need to decide to become one.
How can you deal with someone you can't trust? If a cart doesn't have an axle, how can you ride in it?
How can we know what death is when we do not yet know what life is?
Young people should not be looked down upon. It is very possible that, having matured, they will become outstanding men. Only those who have achieved nothing, having lived to be forty or fifty years old, do not deserve respect.
When they proceed only from profit, they multiply anger.
When you don’t know words, there’s no way to get to know people.
Observe a person’s behavior, delve into the reasons for his actions, look closely at him during leisure hours. Will he then remain a mystery to you?
Don't worry about people not knowing you, but worry about not knowing people.
Don't worry about not having a high rank. Worry about whether you are worthy to have a high rank. Don't worry about not being known. Worry about whether you are worthy of being known.
Don't complain about snow on your neighbor's roof if your own threshold isn't cleared.
Do not have friends who are inferior to you in moral terms.
Not talking to a person who is worthy of talking means losing a person. And talking to a person who is not worthy of conversation means losing words. The wise man loses neither people nor words.
Changes do not occur only with the highest wisdom and the lowest stupidity.
Without knowing fate, you cannot become a noble husband. Without knowing what you should, you cannot find support in life. Without learning to understand the true meaning of words, you cannot know people.
Without mastering decency, you will not establish yourself.
One day Confucius was passing near the mountain. Some woman sobbed loudly over the grave. Bowing as a sign of respect on the front of the chariot, Confucius listened to her sobs. And then he sent his student to that woman, and he asked her: “Are you grieving like this - it seems like this is not the first time you have grieved?”
“So it is,” the woman answered. “My father-in-law once died from the claws of a tiger. Later my husband died from them. And now my son died from them.
- Why don’t you leave these places? – asked Confucius.
“There are no cruel authorities here,” the woman answered.
“Remember this, student,” said Confucius. – Cruel power is fiercer than a tiger.
A person has three paths to reason: the path of reflection is the most noble; the path of imitation is the easiest; the path of personal experience is the hardest path.
Helpful friends are a straightforward friend, a sincere friend and a friend who has heard a lot. Harmful friends are a hypocritical friend, an insincere friend and a talkative friend.
Try to be at least a little kinder - and you will see that you will not be able to commit a bad act.
By their natural inclinations people are close to each other, but by their habits they are far from each other.
Visiting and listening to evil people is already the beginning of an evil deed.
Reverence without knowledge of what is due turns into self-torture. Caution without proper knowledge turns into cowardice. Bravery without proper knowledge turns into recklessness. Straightforwardness without knowledge of what is due turns into rudeness. If the sovereign honors his parents, then the common people will be humane. If a master does not forget old friends, then his servants will not be soulless.
A respectful son is one who upsets his father and mother only with his illness.
To overcome oneself and return to what is proper in oneself is what true humanity is. To be humane or not to be – it depends only on ourselves.
It is wonderful where mercy resides. Is it possible to achieve wisdom if you do not live in its region?
When you meet a worthy person, think about how to become equal to him. When dating a low person, take a closer look at yourself and judge yourself.
Three mistakes are made next to a noble husband: speaking to him when words do not reach him is rashness; not speaking when the words would reach him is secrecy; and to speak without observing his expression is blindness.
An angry person is always full of poison.
Only a truly humane person is capable of both loving and hating.
Only the wisest and the stupidest are not teachable.
Anyone who, having lived to forty years, causes only hostility, is a complete person.
Anyone who speaks beautifully and has an attractive appearance is rarely truly human.
He who cannot instruct his family to goodness cannot learn himself.
Anyone who learns without thinking will fall into error. Anyone who thinks without wanting to learn will find himself in difficulty.
To respect every person as ourselves, and to treat him as we wish to be treated—there is nothing higher than this.
A restrained person has fewer mistakes.
Study as if you cannot gain and as if you are afraid of losing.
The teacher said: “My case seems hopeless. I have not yet met a person who, knowing about his mistakes, would admit his guilt to himself.”
Study as if you constantly feel the lack of your knowledge, and as if you are constantly afraid of losing your knowledge.
To study and, when the time comes, to apply what you have learned to business - isn’t it wonderful!
Complaining about an unpleasant thing is doubling the evil; to laugh at her is to destroy him.
Of all crimes, the most serious is heartlessness.
Sophisticated words destroy virtue. Intemperance in small things will ruin a great cause.
Everyone makes mistakes depending on their bias. Look closely at a person’s mistakes and you will recognize the degree of his humanity.
Helpful friends are a straightforward friend, a sincere friend and a friend who has heard a lot. Harmful friends are a hypocritical friend, an insincere friend and a talkative friend.
The word must be true, the action must be decisive.
A perfect person looks for everything in himself, an insignificant person - in others.
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Humanity has always sought an answer to important question: “What is the meaning of existence?” If Western thinkers approached it rationally, then Eastern sages looked for the answer in the soul and heart. The Chinese philosopher Confucius, whose quotes represent a special moral and ethical ideal of life, brought humanity closer to understanding the essence of existence. Discover it for yourself.
Wise words about life have always been a guiding thread for a person that led to success, happiness and self-realization. Wise sayings They open up new facets of existence, point out true values, and help to understand how happy a person is at different moments in life.
Modern man lives with a clouded mind, in the rush of days he does not have the opportunity to think about what is truly valuable in life. Quotes from the greats are the quintessence of life guidelines.
Could Confucius (Kun Qiu) have thought that twenty centuries later everything he said about life, the world order, and the principles of interaction between people in society would still be relevant.
If you are confused, have difficulties in life, are looking for spiritual support, then quotes from Confucius will help you find peace of mind and determine life goals and values. Here are wise quotes about life drawn from his teachings:
“Three paths lead to knowledge: the path of reflection is the noblest path, the path of imitation is the easiest path and the path of experience is the most bitter path”;
“If you hate, it means you have been defeated”;
“Before you take revenge, dig two graves”;
“Give instructions only to those who seek knowledge after revealing their ignorance”;
“Happiness is when you are understood, great happiness is when you are loved, real happiness is when you love”;
“In fact, life is simple, but we persistently complicate it”;
“Intemperance in small things will ruin a great cause”;
“People in ancient times did not like to talk much. They considered it a shame for themselves not to keep up with their own words”;
“We take advice in drops, but we give it out in buckets”;
“A gemstone cannot be polished without friction. Likewise, a person cannot become successful without a sufficient number of difficult attempts”;
“A noble man makes demands on himself, a low man makes demands on others”;
"Overcome bad habits only possible today, not tomorrow”;
“Three things never come back - time, word, opportunity. Therefore: don’t waste time, choose your words, don’t miss the opportunity”;
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a single day in your life”;
“I don’t get upset if people don’t understand me, I get upset if I don’t understand people”;
“Try to be at least a little kinder, and you will see that you will not be able to commit a bad act”;
“In ancient times, people studied in order to improve themselves. Nowadays they study in order to surprise others”;
“You can curse the darkness all your life, or you can light a small candle”;
“Misfortune came - man gave birth to it, happiness came - man raised it”;
“There is beauty in everything, but not everyone can see it”;
“A noble person is serene at heart. A low person is always preoccupied";
“If they spit in your back, it means you are ahead”;
“He is not great who never fell, but he is great who fell and got up”;
“Never tell anything good or bad about yourself. In the first case, they won’t believe you, but in the second, they will embellish you”;
“When it is obvious that a goal is unattainable, do not change the goal - change your plan of action”;
“You can’t regret anything in this life. It happened - draw a conclusion and move on with your life”;
“Visiting and listening to evil people is already the beginning of an evil deed”;
“When you feel bad, listen to nature. The silence of the world is more soothing than millions of unnecessary words”;
"Silence - true friend who will never change”;
“He who does not think about distant difficulties will certainly face near troubles.”
Wise sayings of Confucius will help you find peace of mind. Evaluate the clever statements of the great thinker, find with their help a foothold and life guidelines.
