Confucius was born in the state of Lu on June 19th, 551 B.C. and lived during the Spring and Autumn period of the Chou dynasty. His name was K'ung Ch'iu and Confucius is the Latinized form of K'ung Fu-tzu or 'Master K'ung.'
Confucius was a teacher, scholar and minor political figure, whose commentary on Chinese literary classics developed into a pragmatic philosophy for daily life. Not strictly religious, his teachings were a utilitarian approach to social harmony and the moral obligations between individuals and social systems.
A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake.
By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.
He does not preach what he practices till he has practiced what he preaches.
He who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own.
Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fall.
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.
The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.
To know that one knows what one knows, and to know that one doesn't know what one doesn't know, there lies true wisdom.
To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
To see what is right, and not do it, is want of courage, or of principle.
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.
