140 Confucius Quotes to Guide You in Life

Discover Confucius’ quotes that offer profound wisdom on ethics, leadership, and personal growth. Let his timeless insights guide you toward a life of virtue, harmony, and self-improvement.

Confucius Quotes

There is a growing interest in Confucianism in China and other parts of the world. Confucius’ philosophies remained in the archives of ancient Chinese history.  Confucius’ thoughts and ideals stand true even today. As his teachings spread far and wide, his philosophies gained ground. It took many years after Confucius’ death for his philosophies to be appreciated and revered, but today, Confucianism is an ethical school of thought adopted by many thinkers around the world. Here are the some of the Confucius Quotes to guide you in life.

Confucius Quotes

  1. “If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes and sayings

  1. Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes

  1. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quote

  1. “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes

  1. “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes

  1. “Roads were made for journeys not destinations.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quote

  1. “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes

  1. “Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.” ~ Confucius
  2. “He who acts with a constant view to his own advantage will be much murmured against.” ~ Confucius
  3. “To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quote

  1. “Worry not that no one knows you; seek to be worth knowing.” ~ Confucius
  2. “I slept and dreamt life is beauty, I woke and found life is duty.” ~ Confucius
  3. “Think of tomorrow, the past can’t be mended.” ~ Confucius
  4. Respect yourself and others will respect you.” ~ Confucius
  5. “A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes

  1. “To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.” ~ Confucius
  2. “By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.” ~ Confucius
  3. “The essence of knowledge is, having it, to use it.” ~ Confucius
  4. “Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.” ~ Confucius
  5. “To be wealthy and honored in an unjust society is a disgrace.” ~ Confucius

Inspiring Short Quotes by Confucius

  1. “Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.” ~ Confucius
  2. “Study the past if you would define the future.” ~ Confucius
  3. “Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.” ~ Confucius
  4. “Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.” ~ Confucius
  5. “He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.” ~ Confucius
  6. “Those who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which they themselves must pass.” ~ Confucius
  7. “Those who know the truth are not equal to those who love it.” ~ Confucius
  8. “The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.” ~ Confucius
  9. “Learn as if you were not reaching your goal and as though you were scared of missing it.” ~ Confucius
  10. “We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes and Sayings

  1. “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.” ~ Confucius
  2. “Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.” ~ Confucius
  3. “The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.” ~ Confucius
  4. “The man who says he can and the man who says he can not… are both correct.” ~ Confucius
  5. “Your life is what your thoughts make it.” ~ Confucius
  6. “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” ~ Confucius
  7. “The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.” ~ Confucius
  8. “When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.” ~ Confucius
  9. “All people are the same; only their habits differ.” ~ Confucius
  10. “Learn avidly. Question it repeatedly. Analyze it carefully. Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently.” ~ Confucius

Quotes from Confucius

  1. Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.” ~ Confucius
  2. “The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he cleaves to it. In seasons of danger, he cleaves to it.” ~ Confucius
  3. “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” ~ Confucius
  4. “Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.” ~ Confucius
  5. “The journey with 1000 miles begins with one step.” ~ Confucius
  6. “An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.” ~ Confucius
  7. “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ~ Confucius
  8. “You are what you think.” ~ Confucius
  9. “Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.” ~ Confucius
  10. “The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.” ~ Confucius

Best Confucius Quotes

  1. “If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.” ~ Confucius
  2. “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” ~ Confucius
  3. “To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.” ~ Confucius
  4. “When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.” ~ Confucius
  5. “A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.” ~ Confucius
  6. “They must often change who would remain constant in happiness and wisdom.” ~ Confucius
  7. “Be strict with yourself but least reproachful of others and complaint is kept afar.” ~ Confucius
  8. When anger rises, think of the consequences.” ~ Confucius
  9. “If you think in terms of a year, plants a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; and if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.” ~ Confucius
  10. “If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?” ~ Confucius

Confucius Famous Quotes

  1. “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” ~ Confucius
  2. “Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.” ~ Confucius
  3. “To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.” ~ Confucius
  4. “The object of the superior man is truth.” ~ Confucius
  5. “When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.” ~ Confucius
  6. “If we don’t know life, how can we know death?” ~ Confucius
  7. “The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.” ~ Confucius
  8. “To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.” ~ Confucius
  9. “I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being.” ~ Confucius
  10. “The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes

  1. “No matter how busy you may think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” ~ Confucius
  2. “They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.” ~ Confucius
  3. “He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.” ~ Confucius
  4. “There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is a reflection, which is the highest. The second is a limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.” ~ Confucius
  5. “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” ~ Confucius
  6. Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.” ~ Confucius
  7. “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” ~ Confucius
  8. “The more man meditates upon good thoughts; the better will be his world and the world at large.” ~ Confucius
  9. “Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?” ~ Confucius
  10. “You cannot open a book without learning something.” ~ Confucius

Funny Confucius Quotes

  1. “When a person should be spoken with, and you don’t speak with them, you lose them. When a person shouldn’t be spoken with and you speak to them, you waste your breath. The wise do not lose people, nor do they waste their breath.” ~ Confucius
  2. “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” ~ Confucius
  3. “To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.” ~ Confucius
  4. “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” ~ Confucius
  5. “Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life.” ~ Confucius
  6. “One joy dispels a hundred cares.” ~ Confucius
  7. “Study the past, if you would divine the future.” ~ Confucius
  8. “It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.” ~ Confucius
  9. “Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.” ~ Confucius
  10. “A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top.” ~ Confucius

Inspiring Confucius Quotes

  1. “Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.” ~ Confucius
  2. “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” ~ Confucius
  3. Silence is a true friend who never betrays.” ~ Confucius
  4. “A person who chases two rabbits catches neither.” ~ Confucius
  5. “Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.” ~ Confucius
  6. “Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.” ~ Confucius
  7. Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.” ~ Confucius
  8. “When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.” ~ Confucius
  9. “We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.” ~ Confucius
  10. “Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes

  1. “And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.” ~ Confucius
  2. “The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live.” ~ Confucius
  3. “A man of wisdom delights in water.”~ Confucius
  4. “Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly.” ~ Confucius
  5. “Three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” ~ Confucius
  6. “What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others.” ~ Confucius
  7. “To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.” ~ Confucius
  8. “To understand yourself is the key to wisdom.” ~ Confucius
  9. “Sincerity is the way of heaven.” ~ Confucius
  10. “A lack of patience in trifling matters might lead to the disruption of great project.” ~ Confucius

Quotes from Confucius

  1. “The true gentleman does not preach what he practices till he has practiced what he preaches.” ~ Confucius
  2. “Straight-forwardness, without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness.” ~ Confucius
  3. “Love is like a spice. It can sweeten your life – however, it can spoil it, too.” ~ Confucius
  4. “It is man that makes truth great, not truth that makes man great.” ~ Confucius
  5. “Base yourself in loyalty and trust. Don’t be a companion with those who are not your moral equal. When you make a mistake, don’t hesitate to correct it.” ~ Confucius
  6. “Sincerity is that whereby self-completion is effected, and its way is that by which man must direct himself.” ~ Confucius
  7. “To love a thing means wanting it to live.” ~ Confucius
  8. “True goodness springs from a man’s own heart. All men are born good.” ~ Confucius
  9. “Can there be a love which does not make demands on its object?” ~ Confucius
  10. “If you try to do too much, you will not achieve anything.” ~ Confucius

Confucius Quotes

  1. “You can successfully force people to follow a certain course, but you cannot force them to understand it.” ~ Confucius
  2. “The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.” ~ Confucius
  3. “Do not let a leader lead you on a bad path.” ~ Confucius
  4. “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” ~ Confucius
  5. He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.” ~ Confucius
  6. “Knowing something is not as good as liking it. Liking something is not as good as rejoicing in it.” ~ Confucius
  7. “No matter how busy you make think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” ~ Confucius
  8. “When wealth is centralized, the people are dispersed. When wealth is distributed, the people are brought together.” ~ Confucius
  9. “To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content.” ~ Confucius
  10. “A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?” ~ Confucius

Famous Confucius Sayings

  1. “What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.” ~ Confucius
  2. “In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.” ~ Confucius
  3. “Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.” ~ Confucius
  4. “Men’s natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.” ~ Confucius
  5. “Study without reflection is a waste of time; reflection without study is dangerous.” ~ Confucius
  6. “When the multitude detests a man, inquiry is necessary; when the multitude likes a man, inquiry is equally necessary.” ~ Confucius
  7. “The people may be made to follow a path of action but they may not be made to understand it.” ~ Confucius
  8. “Have no friends not equal to yourself.” ~ Confucius
  9. “He who will not economize will have to agonize.” ~ Confucius
  10. “It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family.” ~ Confucius

Thank you for reading this. I hope you liked these Quotes by Confucius. Which quote you liked the most in above list? Please let us know your favorite quote in comments section.

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16 Comments

  1. “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves”…

    “A person who chases two rabbits catches neither”…

    “Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly”…

  2. When you are dealing with pearls and diamonds it is very difficult to choose the best. However, I think there are a few mistakes: in no.40 is it advidly or avidly? Similarly in 71, ..you make or may think? Otherwise, PRIMA, DAUMEN HOCH!!!

    1. Thanks Professor Kaushik for bringing our notice on typing errors.

      You are correct, both the mistakes have been corrected.

  3. My favourite Quote is, “No matter how busy you make think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” ~ Confucius

  4. Confucius said so many wonderful, wise things. My favourite is “Wherever you go, go with all
    of your heart.” Similar to Rumi, the Sufi poet, who said “Your heart knows the way, Run in that direction.
    Run in joy”. Great people think alike !

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