Confucius is the famous Chinese thinker and philosopher who had written analects during the warring states, i.e., ca 475 BCE – 221 BCE. His thought processes had influenced the Chinese and East Asian. In fact, it continues to influence people for his works have a deep meaning. Confucius analects or Lunyun (Chinese) are a record of the words and acts of this great philosopher. His thoughts focused on human and moral values. It covered various aspects like propriety, righteousness, loyalty, filial piety, etc. These thoughts were expressed in the form of Confucius quotes. His thoughts and philosophies were considered as a fundamental course of study for any Chinese scholar. This kind of importance prevailed for almost two thousand years. In fact, the ones who did not study his philosophies were looked down, they were considered morally incorrect. His books portray intelligence and spirituality and, not to mention, human values. The followers or disciples are many and so are his students. The Lunyun was written over a period of 30 to 50 years during the spring and autumn period.
His works are based on several topics. Some of the topics include action, education, goals, ignorance, knowledge, anger, mistakes, learning and practice. We will throw light on each of his topic.
- Action - His words on action talk about the behavior of a person. He believed in order and harmony and had specific views about how people should behave in a society. It also shed light on his behavior in various daily activities. One of the examples is shared herewith, “The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds his actions”.
- Education – He emphasized that education is not merely to study from a book. It is more of an application than study. He advocated independent study. Some of Confucius quotes will reflect this thought process. For example, “all educated men are peers”.
- Goals – His goals were not materialistic. A peek into some of his writings will give an idea about the type of goal one should set in life. For instance, The object of the superior man is truth, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, To rank the effort above the prize may be called love, When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps”.
- Ignorance – He referred ignorance as darkness and some of the Confucius quotes reveal his thought process implicitly. One such example is shared here; Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.
- Knowledge – He has explained the deeper meaning of knowledge. Some of his works are as follows, 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. Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance, To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge, etc.
- Anger – In Confucianism anger is a difficult emotion to handle. Confucius quotes on anger say that, “To be wronged or robbed is nothing unless you continue to remember it”. Another quote says, “When anger rises, think of the consequence”.
- Mistakes – Some of the words written by the great man are, “Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes, Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.
- Learning – He states that every situation in life is an opportunity to learn. We must enjoy learning and implement all that we have learned. He has quoted “Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous”, “To be fond of learning is near to wisdom”.
- Practice – Confucius quotes on practice emphasize the importance of practicing what you have learned. Some of his lunyun states, “All men are alike in their nature, but become different through practice”, Virtue is not left to stand-alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.
- Success – Though he did not put his ideas or thoughts in writing, it was passed down to us through his disciples and students. When he talks about success, he states “Study the past if you would define the future”, “What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others”.
- Humility – The Confucius quotes on humility says “The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue”. He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
A Little More About Confucius
He belonged to a noble family but lived his life in poverty. His father died when he was three years old. However, he received education and earned his livelihood through various means. As a child, he held temple rituals, later he was the keeper of a market. He also worked as a farm worker and the governor of district by the time he was 20 years old. He got married at the age of 19 and had three children. His spiritual teachings began after he lost his mother in 527 BC. He traveled a lot and instructed small groups of people. His teachings were well accepted by the disciples. Confucius quotes and sayings were very wise and many liked his philosophies. He preached about nature, the world and human behavior, values, ethics, and morals. His lessons were passed on to several generations. Though he did not write down his philosophies, his disciples did the work of writing Confucius say. His teachings and philosophies were very advanced. He also taught emperors how to rule their kingdom successfully. Initially, his teachings were very well accepted. However, over a period, several groups were jealous and began plotting against him. So much so that they would device plans to kill him. He was jailed for five days around the age of 62. He lived for 72 years and continued his work as a renowned teacher.
Confucius Movie Trailer
Confucius quotes and theories were spread across
Confucius Quotes
In this article, we share Confucius analects on various aspects of human values like character, personality, success, failure, virtue, etc.
Character And Personality
He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.
Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.
He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.
I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability.
A gentleman points out the admirable qualities of men and does not point out their bad qualities. A petty man does just the opposite
Everyone wants wealth and rank, but can only get them in the right way. No one wants poverty and obscurity, but they cannot be avoided if there is no right way to do so.
Confucius Quotes On Success And Failure
Anyone learning without thought is lost; anyone thinking but not learning is in peril.
If the people are governed by laws and punishment is used to maintain order, they will try to avoid the punishment but have no sense of shame. If they are governed by virtue and rules of propriety (ritual) are used to maintain order, they will have a sense of shame and will become good as well.
With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my crooked arm for a pillow - is not joy to be found therein? Riches and honors acquired through unrighteousness are to me as the floating clouds.
Confucius Quotes On Virtue
Virtue is not for the sake of getting material rewards. One should not be extravagant or self serving. Self cultivation is done for the betterment of the rest of society.
“A gentleman needs to have three basic characters, which I have not lived up to. Be benevolent with no worry; be wise with no be puzzlement; be courageous with no fear.”
When abroad, behave to everyone as if you were receiving an important guest; treat people as if you were assisting at a great sacrifice; do not do to others as you would not wish done to yourself. Thereby you will let no murmuring rise against you in the country, and none in the family.
What one does not wish for oneself, one ought not to do to anyone else; what one recognizes as desirable for oneself, one ought to be willing to grant to others.
Being humane is good. If we select other goodness and thus are far apart from humaneness, how can we be the wise?
Beijing Confucius Temple
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