Confucius, aka Kong Qiu, Zhongni, K'ung Fu-tzu or Kong Fuzi

An exemplary person defers on matters he does not understand. When names are not used properly, language will not be used effectively; when language is not used effectively, matters will not be taken care of.

Exemplary persons would feel shame if their words were better than their deeds.

Study as though you cannot catch up to it, and as though you fear you are going to lose it.

Confucius is driven by such eagerness to teach and learn that he forgets to eat, he enjoys himself so much that he forgets to worry, and does not even realize that old age is on its way.

Having gone astray, to fail to get right back on track is to stray indeed.

The exemplary person helps to bring out the best in others, but does not help bring out the worse. The petty person does just the opposite.

Daily I examine my person on three counts. In my undertaking on behalf of other people, have I failed to do my utmost? In my interactions with colleagues and friends, have I failed to make good on my word? In what has been passed on to me, have I failed to carry it into practice? ? Master Zeng

I am not the kind of person who has gained knowledge through some natural propensity for it. Rather, loving antiquity, I am earnest in seeking it out.

The exemplary person takes the high road, while the petty person takes the low.

Deference, tolerance, making good on one?s word, diligence, and generosity. If you are deferential (respectful), you will not suffer insult; if tolerant, you will win over the many; if you make good on your word, others will rely upon you; if diligent, you will get results; if generous, you will have the status to employ others effectively. (On the five attitudes.)

If in one?s conduct one refrains from intimidation, from self-importance, from ill will, and from greed, can one be considered authoritative.

The person who does not consider what is far off will not escape being alarmed at what is near at hand.

Do I possess all knowledge? No, I do not. But if a simple peasant puts a question to me, and I come up empty, I attack the question from both ends until I have gotten to the bottom of it.

If proper in their own conduct, what difficulty would they have in governing? But if not able to be proper in their own conduct, how can they demand such conduct from others?

Those near at hand are pleased, and those at a distance are drawn to you. (When governing effectively.)

Do not impose upon others what you yourself do not want.

If truly efficacious (effective) people were put in charge of governing for a hundred years, they would be able to overcome violence and dispense with killing altogether.

To be poor without feeling ill will is much more difficult than to be wealthy without being arrogant.

Do not plan the policies of an office you do not hold.

In expressing oneself, it is simply a matter of getting the point across.

To fail to cultivate excellence, to fail to practice what I learn, on coming to understand what is appropriate in the circumstances to fail to attend to it, and to be unable to reform conduct that is not productive?these things I worry over.

Don?t try to rush things, and don?t get distracted by small opportunities. If you try to rush things, you won?t achieve your ends; if you get distracted by small opportunities, you won?t succeed in the more important of government. (On governing effectively.)

In instruction, there is no such thing as social classes.

To go into battle with people who have not been properly trained is to forsake them.

Don?t worry about not being acknowledged by others; worry about failing to acknowledge them.