Confucius (Chinese: 孔子; pinyin: Kǒng zǐ; Wade–Giles: K'ung-tzu, or Chinese: 孔夫子; pinyin: Kǒng Fūzǐ; Wade–Giles: K'ung-fu-tzu), literally "Master Kong",[1] (traditionally September 28, 551 BC – 479 BC)[2] was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period.
His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. These values gained prominence in China over other doctrines, such as Legalism (法家) or Taoism (道家) during the Han Dynasty[3][4][5] (206 BC – 220 AD). Confucius' thoughts have been developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism (儒家). It was introduced to Europe by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, who was the first to Latinise the name as "Confucius".
His teachings may be found in the Analects of Confucius (論語), a collection of "brief aphoristic fragments", which was compiled many years after his death.
His moral teachings emphasized self-cultivation, emulation of moral exemplars, and the attainment of skilled judgment rather than knowledge of rules, Confucius's ethics may be considered a type of virtue ethics.
Confucius had many followers but he did not claim to be divine even though his insights could be considered inspired by such or from such a source. he along with many prophets and teachers in history have shared their insights with us. we know that he existed just as the Buddha and Ghandi. even einstein was a humanitarian among many others.
even today, many people have been inspired or learned and have shared their wisdom and insights with us. from the humblest of people to the most educated of people. many of these can strike a chord with us or we may have figured out ourselves through life. true wisdom has no class boundaries.
he was a very wise man. notice even the golden rule as one of his quotes. this is a fraction of his quotes:
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Confucius
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Confucius
Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.
Confucius
Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
Confucius
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Confucius
Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.
Confucius
Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.
Confucius
He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.
Confucius
He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.
Confucius
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
Confucius
Heaven means to be one with God.
Confucius
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Confucius
I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.
Confucius
I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your being.
Confucius
I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me;I will be concerned at my own want of ability
n a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.
Confucius
Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, see to the (be?) worthy of being known.
Confucius
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
Confucius
It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
Confucius
It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.
Confucius
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
Confucius
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
Confucius
Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!
Confucius
Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
Confucius
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
Confucius
Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
Confucius
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Confucius
The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.
Confucius
The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.
Confucius
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
The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
Confucius
The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.
Confucius
The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.
Confucius
The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.
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