Human nature
A man’s faults all conform to his type of mind. Observe his faults and you may know his virtues.
— Confucius: Analects
Humility
I will not grieve that men do not know me; I will grieve that I do not know them.
— Confucius: Analects
Knowledge and learning
Learning without thought is useless. Thought without learning is dangerous.
— Confucius: Analects
He who keeps on reviewing his old and acquiring new knowledge may become a teacher of others.
— Confucius: Analects
It is not easy to find a man who has studied for three years without aimng at pay.
— Confucius: Analects
Leadership
He who governs by his moral excellence may be compared to the Pole-star, which abides in its place, while all the stars bow towards it.
— Confucius: Analects
If you govern the people by laws, and keep them in order by penalties, they will avoid the penalties, yet lose their sense of shame. But if you govern them by your moral excellence, and keep them in order by your decorous conduct, they will retain their sense of shame, and also live up to standard.
— Confucius: Analects
Lead them with dignity and they will be respectful; be filial and kind and they will be loyal; promote those who excell and teach the incompetent, and they will encourage each other.
— Confucius: Analects
Personal conduct
The well-bred are dignified but not pompous. The ill-bred are pompous, but not dignified.
— Confucius: Analects
The nobler man is calm and serene, the inferior man is continually worried and anxious.
— Confucius: Analects
If not right and proper, do not look, if not right and proper do not listen, if not right and proper do not speak, if not right and proper do not move.
— Confucius: Analects
The Wise man has nine points of thoughtful care. In looking, his care is to observe distinctly; in listening, his care is to apprehend clearly; in his appearance, his care is to be kindly; in his manner, his care is to be respectful; in speaking, his care is to be conscientious; in his duties, his care is to be earnest; in doubt, his care is to seek information; in anger, he has care for the consequences; and when he has opportunity for gain, his care is whether it be right?
— Confucius: Analects
Self-restraint
The self-retrained seldom err.
— Confucius: Analects
The men of old were reserved in speech out of shame lest they should come short in deed.
— Confucius: Analects