Confucius (551 B.C. – 479 B.C.) was an a memorable Chinese philosopher who’s teachings had a key influence on East Asian philosophy, life, and thought.

Other names for Confucius include: 孔夫子, Kong Fu Zi or K’ung-fu-tzu, 孔子, Kongzi, and Kǒng Zǐ

Quotes

  • 己所不欲，勿施於人

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

  • 非其鬼而祭之，諂也。見義不為，無勇也。

To worship to other than one’s own ancestral spirits is brown-nosing. If you see what is right and fail to act on it, you lack courage.

  • 見賢思齊焉；見不賢而內自省也。

When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

  • 知者樂水，仁者樂山。知者動，仁者静。知者樂，仁者寿。

The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived.

  • 三人行，必有我師焉：擇其善者而從之，其不善者而改之。

When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them.

  • 君子博學於文、約之以禮、亦可以弗畔矣夫。

The superior man, extensively studying all learning, and keeping himself under the restraint of the rules of propriety, may thus likewise not overstep what is right.

  • 不患人之不己知，患不知人也。

I am not bothered by the fact that I am not understood. I am bothered when I do not know others.

  • 學而不思則罔，思而不學則殆。

To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.

  • 君子欲訥於言而敏於行

The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

  • 知之者不如好之者，好之者不如樂之者。

They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.