The Analects of Confucius
is the collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius. The Analects has been one of the most widely read and studied books in China for the last 2,000 years, and continues to have a substantial influence on Chinese and East Asian thought and values today.
BOOK 1
1.16. The Master said: “Don’t worry about not being acknowledged by others; worry about failing to acknowledge them.”
BOOK 4
4.17. The Master said: “When you meet persons of exceptional character think to stand shoulder to shoulder with them; meeting persons of little character, look inward and examine yourself.”
BOOK 6
6.19. The Master said, “The life of a person lies in being true; as for the life of someone who is crooked, they will need good fortune to avoid losing it.”
6.20. The Master said, “To truly love it is better than just to understand it; and to enjoy it is better than simply to love it.”
6.23. The Master said, “The wise enjoy water; those authoritative in their conduct enjoy mountains. The wise are active; the authoritative are still. The wise find enjoyment; the authoritative are long-enduring.”
6.27. The Master said, “Exemplary persons learn broadly of culture, discipline this learning through observing ritual propriety, and moreover, in so doing, can remain on course without straying from it.”
BOOK 7
7.6. The Master said, “Set your sights on the way, sustain yourself with excellence, lean upon authoritative conduct, and sojourn in the arts.”
BOOK 8
8.9. The Master said, “The common people can be induced to travel along the way, but they cannot be induced to realize it.”
BOOK 9
9.17. The Master was standing on the riverbank, and observed, “Isn’t life’s passing just like this, never ceasing day or night?”
BOOK 13
13.6. The Master said, “If people are proper in personal conduct, others will follow suit without need of command. But if they are not proper, even when they command, others will not obey.”
BOOK 14
14.23. The Master said, “The exemplary person takes the high road, while the petty person takes the low.”
BOOK 15
15.21. The Master said, “Exemplary persons make demands on themselves, while petty persons make demands on others.”