Confucius

Ah, music, sacred tongue of God! I hear thee calling and I come.

Confucius

Although your father and mother are dead, if you propose to yourself any good work, only reflect how it will make their names illustrious, and your purpose will be fixed.

Confucius

Am I a man of great wisdom? Hardly! Even when a simple person brings me a question, my mind goes utterly blank, I just thrash it out until I’ve exhausted every possibility.

Confucius

Among the appliances to transform the people, sound and appearances are but trivial influences.

Confucius

As in the case of making a mound, if, before the very last basketful, I stop, then I shall have stopped. As in the case of leveling the ground, if, though tipping only one basketful, I am going forward, then I shall be making progress.

Confucius

At 15 I set my heart on learning; At 30 I firmly took my stand; At 40 I had no delusions; At 50 I knew the Mandate of Heaven; At 60 my ear was attuned; At 70 I followed my heart’s desire without overstepping the boundaries of right.

Confucius

Behind every smile there’s teeth.

Confucius

Bird in hand makes it harder to blow nose.

Confucius

But if you do not have the Tao yourself, what business have you spending your time in vain efforts to bring corrupt politicians into the right path?

Confucius

By the ruler’s cultivation of his own character there is set up the example of the course which all should pursue.

Confucius