In traditional Chinese culture, Confucius is often regarded as a sage with extraordinary character and wisdom. His thoughts and behavior are held up as a model of Confucian morality.
His wisdom is even more deeply imprinted in countless classic quotes.
These quotes have exerted far-reaching impacts in ancient times but also inspirational effects in modern times.
Expressions Of Confucius’s Wisdom
As a sage, Confucius knew the true meaning of life and the nature of man.
As a result, throughout his life, he provided comprehensive and unique insights into different areas such as ways of dealing with different people, governance, and family relationships.
These insights were skilfully integrated into his system of thought, implying his profound and comprehensive wisdom.
12 Classic Quotes That Show The Wisdom Of Confucius
Confucius’s wisdom is reflected in his profound thoughts, brilliant educational ideas, and extraordinary philosophy of life.
Here are 12 quotes from Confucius, displaying his wisdom and life lessons.
1. 学而不思则罔，思而不学则殆。(From The Analects of Confucius: The Way of Governance)
Phonetic transcription (Pinyin): xué ér bù sī zé wǎnɡ, sī ér bù xué zé dài.
Translation: Learning without thinking is labor lost, and thinking without learning is perilous.
Interpretations: The method of combining learning and thinking demonstrates Confucius’s foresight in learning. Two thousand years ago, he proposed this systematic, efficient, and practical theory of learning.
Besides, the saying also contains a profound philosophy. It reminds us that in the face of challenges and difficulties in life, we need to find appropriate solutions via deep thinking. At the same time, thinking needs to be combined with practical actions to achieve our goals.
2. 子贡问曰：“有一言而可以终身行之者乎？”子曰：“其恕乎！己所不欲，勿施于人。” (From The Analects of Confucius: Duke Ling of Wey)
Phonetic transcription: zǐ ɡònɡ wèn yuē: “yǒu yì yán ér kě yǐ zhōnɡ shēn xínɡ zhī zhě hū?” zǐ yuē: “qí shù hū! jǐ suǒ bú yù, wù shī yú rén.”
Translation: Zi Gong asked whether there was a word practicable all the life long. The Master said, ‘Perhaps “forgiveness” is the word. Do not do unto others what you would not want done unto you.’
Interpretations: Confucius answered Zi Gong’s question with a single word, demonstrating his extraordinary wisdom. By Shu (Chinese: 恕; English: Forgiveness)”forgiveness”, Confucius did not mean literally “to forgive”, but rather a state of selflessness and non-separation. The general idea is to use one’s mind to think about the minds of others. This is the essence of Confucianism, that is, the idea of treating others with benevolence and love.
3. 父母唯其疾之忧。 (From The Analects of Confucius: The Way of Governance)
Phonetic transcription: fù mǔ wéi qí jí zhī yōu.
Translation: Parents only have their worries about their illnesses.
Interpretations: These words of Confucius succinctly point out the deeper meaning of filial piety and reflect the remarkable wisdom of Confucius. In addition to maintaining good health, children should also reassure their parents in their daily work, in their behavior, and the cultivation of their moral character.
In this way, parents need not worry about their children’s problems in other areas, but only about those health problems that are beyond human control. This kind of behavior is the best and greatest filial piety that children can show to their parents.
4. 里仁为美，择不处仁，焉得知？ (From The Analects of Confucius: Liren)
Phonetic transcription: lǐ rén wéi měi, zé bù chù rén, yān dé zhī?
Translation: It is virtuous manners that constitute the excellence of a neighborhood. If a man in selecting a residence, do not fix on one where such prevail, how can he be wise?”
Interpretations: The comprehensive nature of Confucius’ thinking is reflected. He warns us that the formation of a good personality should focus not only on internal moral cultivation but also on the influence of the external environment.
The environment has a far-reaching influence on human growth. We should carefully choose a living environment that is conducive to the enhancement of our qualities in all aspects of life. At the same time, we should create a better living environment with love and benevolence.
5. 宁武子，邦有道，则知；邦无道，则愚。其知可及也，其愚不可及也。(From The Analects of Confucius: Gongye Chang)
Phonetic transcription: nínɡ wǔ zǐ, bānɡ yǒu dào, zé zhī; bānɡ wú dào, zé yú. qí zhī kě jí yě, qí yú bù kě jí yě.
Translation: Ning Wu Zi, said the Master, showed wisdom when the country was well governed, but pretended to be dull when it was ill-governed. His wisdom may be equaled, but not his dullness.
Interpretations: This quote reveals that Confucius had a knack for seeing the excesses of others. For most people, it is relatively easy to demonstrate personal ingenuity in good times as it is their comfort zone.
However, standing firm and remaining calm in the face of adversity is challenging, because it requires great wisdom and courage.
6. 三人行，必有我师焉。择其善者而从之，其不善者而改之。(From The Analects of Confucius: Shui Er)
Phonetic transcription: sān rén xínɡ, bì yǒu wǒ shī yān. zé qí shàn zhě ér cónɡ zhī, qí bù shàn zhě ér ɡǎi zhī.
Translation: When three men walk together, said the Master, there must be one worthy to be my teacher. I will choose what is good in him to follow and avoid what is not good.
Interpretations: This quote shows Confucius’s temperament as a wise man. Everyone has their areas of expertise. No matter where we are, no matter what kind of people we meet, we can learn something from them. Therefore, don’t easily ignore or belittle someone because he might be one of your “teachers”.
7. 道不同，不相为谋。 (From The Analects of Confucius: Duke Ling of Wey)
Phonetic transcription: dào bù tónɡ, bù xiānɡ wéi móu.
Translation: Different paths do not conspire against each other.
Interpretations: Here is a reflection of Confucius’s profound wisdom. In work and study, if people do not share the same views and goals, it is difficult to achieve consensus and cooperation. Therefore, we should learn to find common solutions based on understanding and respect for others, rather than forcing agreement.
8. 子贡问曰：“乡人皆好之，何如？”子曰：“未可也。”“乡人皆恶之，何如？”子曰：“未可也。不如乡人之善者好之，其不善者恶之。” (From The Analects of Confucius: Zilu)
Phonetic transcription: zǐ ɡònɡ wèn yuē: “xiānɡ rén jiē hào zhī，hé rú?” zǐ yuē: “wèi kě yě.” “xiānɡ rén jiē è zhī, hé rú?” zǐ yuē: “wèi kě yě. bù rú xiānɡ rén zhī shàn zhě hào zhī, qí bù shàn zhě è zhī.”
Translation: Zi Gong asked, “What do you say of a man who is loved by all the people of his neighborhood?” The Master replied, “We may not for that accord our approval of him.” “And what do you say of him who is hated by all the people of his neighborhood?” The Master said, “We may not for that conclude that he is bad. it is better than either of these cases that the good in the neighborhood love him, and the bad hate him.”
Interpretations: The words reflect Confucius’s great wisdom in dealing with people in the world. It emphasizes that to understand a person’s character, we should not rely solely on the opinions of some people but should listen to as many people as possible. In addition, we should also feel for ourselves and avoid making hasty judgments.
9. 视其所以，观其所由，察其所安，人焉廋哉？人焉廋哉？(From The Analects of Confucius: The Way of Governance)
Phonetic transcription: shì qí suǒ yǐ, ɡuān qí suǒ yóu, chá qí suǒ ān, rén yān sōu zāi? rén yān sōu zāi?
Translation: The Master said, “See what a man does, and mark his motives.” Examine in what things he rests. “How can a man conceal his character? How can a man conceal his character?”
Interpretations: Here is a reflection of Confucius’s deep understanding of human nature. It is about a way of knowing people and a way of finding out whether a person’s reputation matches reality.
It tells us that to understand a person, we need to observe and think about his behavior, motives, and interests in many ways.
Only in this way can we get to know a person and avoid being hurt. We also need to constantly improve our ability to understand people so that we can get along, communicate, and cooperate with them better.
10. 多闻阙疑，慎言其余，则寡尤；多见阙殆，慎行其余，则寡悔。言寡尤，行寡悔，禄在其中矣。 (From The Analects of Confucius: The Way of Governance)
Phonetic transcription: duō wén quē yí, shèn yán qí yú, zé ɡuǎ yóu; duō jiàn quē dài, shèn xínɡ qí yú, zé ɡuǎ huǐ. yán ɡuǎ yóu, xínɡ ɡuǎ huǐ, lù zài qí zhōnɡ yǐ.
Translation: The Master said, “Hear much and put aside the points of which you stand in doubt, while you speak cautiously at the same time of the others, you will afford few occasions for blame. See much and put aside the things that seem perilous, while you are cautious at the same time in carrying the others into practice, you will have few occasions for repentance. When one gives few occasions for blame in his words, and few occasions for repentance in his conduct, he is in the way to get emolument.
Interpretations: This quote shows how Confucius provided Zi Zhang (子张) with the means to survive in officialdom, and it has become a modern principle of living in the world that people uphold in their social lives. Word of mouth is often exaggerated, and what you see with your own eyes is often an illusion.
A person’s speech, behavior, and inner thoughts may not be consistent, and different people will have different interpretations of the same thing.
Therefore, whether in officialdom or social life, we should not judge the truth merely based on what we have heard or observed, and we must be careful in our words and actions and think deeply to get closer to the truth.
11. 人无远虑，必有近忧。 (From The Analects of Confucius: Duke Ling of Wey)
Phonetic transcription: rén wú yuǎn lǜ, bì yǒu jìn yōu.
Translation: A man without foresight will have immediate worries.
Interpretations: This statement by Confucius essentially reflects his superiority in governance. A person in politics should be far-sighted. Especially as a king, he should not only see what is in front of him but also prevent future pitfalls and formulate long-term strategies.
12. 道之以政，齐之以刑，民免而无耻。道之以德，齐之以礼，有耻且格。 (From The Analects of Confucius: The Way of Governance)
Phonetic transcription: dào zhī yǐ zhènɡ, qí zhī yǐ xínɡ, mín miǎn ér wú chǐ. dào zhī yǐ dé, qí zhī yǐ lǐ, yǒu chǐ qiě ɡé.
Translation: If the people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given them by punishments, they will try to avoid the punishment, but have no sense of shame. If they be led by virtue, and uniformity sought to be given them by the rules of propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good.”
Interpretations: This quote shows the wisdom of Confucius in governing the country. A king should set a good example and make the people obedient through moral education and rituals.
On the contrary, if the king relies too much on punishment and other means to govern the country, people will likely live in fear, which will lead to resistance and discontent, resulting in social unrest.