Confucius

Waste begets self-will; thrift begets meanness: but better be mean than self-willed.

Confucius

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression; the heart of a wise man should resemble a mirror, which reflects every object without being sullied by any.

Confucius

We should keep the dead before our eyes, and honor them as though still living.

Confucius

We should worship as though the deity were present.

Confucius

What you dislike in your superiors, avoid doing to your inferiors. What you dislike in your inferiors, avoid doing when working for your superiors. What you hate in those who are in front of you, do not do to those behind you.

Confucius

What you know you know. What you don’t know, you don’t know. This is knowledge.

Confucius

When I walk along with two others, from at least one I will be able to learn.

Confucius

When nature exceeds culture, we have the rustic. When culture exceeds nature then we the pedant.

Confucius

When prosperity comes, do not use all of it.

Confucius

When the Superior Man eats he does not try to stuff himself; at rest he does not seek perfect comfort; he is diligent in his work and careful in speech. He avails himself to people of the Tao and thereby corrects himself. This is the kind of person of whom you can say, ‘he loves learning.’

Confucius