The Analects of Confucius (from the Chinese Classics)

by Confucius

'Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.'

The Master said, 'Yu, shall I teach you what knowledge is? When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it;— this is knowledge.'

'To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.'

'The superior man, in the world, does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what is right he will follow.'

When we see men of worth, we should think of equalling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.'

The Master said, 'They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.'

When a bird is about to die, its notes are mournful; when a man is about to die, his words are good.

There were four things from which the Master was entirely free. He had no foregone conclusions, no arbitrary predeterminations, no obstinacy, and no egoism.

The Master said, 'Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Have no friends not equal to yourself. When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.'

'Do not be desirous to have things done quickly; do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.'