Quotes from The Analects

The sayings of Confucius, recorded by his disciples and compiled after his death. Short exchanges, aphorisms and fragments of conversation — on learning, virtue, government and how to treat other people — that shaped East Asian thought for two and a half millennia. Below: the 31 quotes in the QuotePlace collection that are verifiably from this work, each marked 'Source verified' on its own page.

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

The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.

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.

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.

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

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

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

To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage. — Confucius

To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.

He who learns but does not think, is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger. — Confucius

He who learns but does not think, is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves. — Confucius

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance. — Confucius

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort. — Confucius

The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short. — Confucius

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

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

To learn and at due times to repeat what one has learnt, is that not after all a pleasure? — Confucius

To learn and at due times to repeat what one has learnt, is that not after all a pleasure?

The superior man is conversant with righteousness; the mean man is conversant with gain. — Confucius

The superior man is conversant with righteousness; the mean man is conversant with gain.

By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart. — Confucius

By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.

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

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

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.

The Superior Man is all-embracing and not partial. The inferior man is partial and not all-embracing. — Confucius

The Superior Man is all-embracing and not partial. The inferior man is partial and not all-embracing.

Be loyal and trustworthy. Do not befriend anyone who is lower than yourself in this regard. When making a mistake, do not be afraid to correct it. — Confucius

Be loyal and trustworthy. Do not befriend anyone who is lower than yourself in this regard. When making a mistake, do not be afraid to correct it.

The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar. — Confucius

The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge. — Confucius

To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.

If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake. — Confucius

If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.

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