Confucius Quotes on Wisdom

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

The more you know yourself, the more you forgive yourself.

To be wrong is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

The cautious seldom err.

Reviewing what you have learned and learning anew, you are fit to be a teacher.

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

I will not be concerned at other men is not knowing me;I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

When you see a man of worth, think of how you may emulate him. When you see one who is unworthy, examine yourself.

Being in humaneness is good. If we select other goodness and thus are far apart from humaneness, how can we be the wise?

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

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

When you see a good person, think of becoming like him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.

When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self.

I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your being.

The Superior Man is aware of Righteousness, the inferior man is aware of advantage.

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

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

Learning without reflection is a waste, reflection without learning is dangerous.

If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?

Sincerity is the way of Heaven. The attainment of sincerity is the way of men.

To give ones self earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.