Confucius
Chinese teacher and thinker (traditionally dated 551 to 479 BCE), born in Zou and an official in Lu; his teachings survive as sayings in the Analects, which an early account says his first and second generation disciples compiled.
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What they believe
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People led by virtue and the rules of propriety gain a sense of shame and become good
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.
gutenberg.orgSaid c. 551–479 BCEThis on korrents
The bold line is korrents’ wording; the quote is theirs. These one: what they wrote before what they said aloud, one per source, newest first.
Beliefs
Korrents What they believe 12 beliefs — each backed by an exact quote.
Each is a — compiled by korrents.com, not by them: the one-line wordings are korrents', the quotes are theirs.
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People led by virtue and the rules of propriety gain a sense of shame and become good
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.
The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
Learning without thinking is wasted effort, and thinking without learning is dangerous
Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.
The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
Knowledge means holding that you know what you know and admitting that you do not know what you do not
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.
The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
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The mind of the superior person is set on what is right; the mind of the petty person is set on gain
The mind of the superior man is conversant with righteousness; the mind of the mean man is conversant with gain.
The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
Virtue is not remote: whoever wishes to be virtuous finds it at hand
Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! virtue is at hand.
The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
If names are not correct, language does not match the truth of things and affairs cannot succeed
If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success.
The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
Reciprocity can serve as a rule for life: do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself
Is not RECIPROCITY such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
People are nearly alike by nature; it is practice that sets them far apart
By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
Have no friends who are not your equals
Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Have no friends not equal to yourself.
The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
Friendship with the upright, the sincere and the well-informed helps you; friendship with the showy, the smooth and the glib harms you
There are three friendships which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Friendship with the upright; friendship with the sincere; and friendship with the man of much observation:— these are advantageous. Friendship with the man of specious airs; friendship with the insinuatingly soft; and friendship with the glib-tongued:— these are injurious.
The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
When you see a worthy person, think of equalling them; when you see the opposite, look inward and examine yourself
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 Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
Anyone you walk with can be your teacher: follow their good qualities and avoid their bad ones
When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them.
The Analects, as recorded by his disciples (tr. James Legge, 1861) Said c. 551–479 BCE
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