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Confucius

Quote of Confucius: Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues...


Biography - Confucius:

Confucius (Kong Qiu, courtesy name Zhongni), a Spring and Autumn period Chinese philosopher, is the paragon of sages whose teachings shaped Chinese civilization and the Sinosphere's cultural heritage.
Born: -551 - Died: -479
Period:
5th century BC
6th century BC
Place of birth: China
China

Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license. Thus his words have respect to his actions, and his actions have respect to his words; is it not just an entire sincerity which marks the superior man?



Translation

Translation

(French)



French
Celui-là n’est-il pas un sage vraiment parfait, qui, dans la pratique des vertus ordinaires et dans ses conversations de chaque jour, s’efforce d’éviter jusqu’aux moindres défauts, qui craint toujours de promettre plus qu’il ne peut tenir, et fait en sorte que ses paroles répondent à ses actions, et ses actions à ses paroles ?




See also 

See also...



But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?

Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought.

Philosophize, to think your life and to live your thoughts: for that is what philosophy is.

It is doubtless a fine harmony when doing and saying go together.

Action is the language of the body and should harmonize with the spirit within.

In conversation one ought to follow closely what is being said; in the field of impulse to follow what is happening; in the latter case to see immediately what is the object of reference, in the former to mark closely the meaning expressed.




Quotes for: sage


Quotes

Quotes for: sage


A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.





Even for the wise, the desire for glory is the last of all passions to be laid aside.





From the faults of another a wise man will correct his own.





It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.





Those who live without madness are not as wise as they think.





The wise man is rich











Quotes for: virtue


Quotes

Quotes about virtue:


All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.





The strangest, most generous, and proudest of all virtues is true courage.





Happiness is a virtue, not its reward.





To make a virtue out of necessity; that is the beautiful and great work.





'No soul is willing to be robbed of truth', he says. The same holds of justice, too, of temperance, of kindness, and the like. It is most necessary to remember this continually, for thus you will be more gentle to all men.





He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.











Quotes for: action


Quotes

Quotes about action:


I have laboured carefully, not to mock, lament, or execrate, but to understand human actions.





One should be light like a bird, and not like a feather.





Often he who omits an act does injustice, not only he who commits an act.





I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.





Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.





Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.











Quotes

Confucius also said...


Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.





Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.





To assail one's own wickedness and not assail that of others.





Faithfully admonish your friend, and skillfully lead him on. If you find him impracticable, stop.





The virtuous rest in virtue.





Demand much from yourself, little from others, and you will prevent discontent.












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