Confucius, also known as Kong Zi, was a prominent Chinese philosopher, educator, and political figure in the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. His teachings have had a profound influence not only in Chinese culture but also in the global philosophical and ethical discourse. Confucius’ insightful sayings and timeless wisdom have been widely translated into many languages, including English. His aphorisms such as “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire” and “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence” continue to inspire and guide people around the world. In the realm of English translations, many scholars and translators have endeavored to capture the essence of Confucius’ wisdom, making his quotes and maxims accessible to a broader audience and ensuring that his legacy continues to resonate across cultural and linguistic boundaries.
1、言必信，行必果。Keep what you say and carry out what you do.
2、有教无类。 In teaching there should be no distinction of classes.
3、过而不改，是谓过矣。Not to mend the fault one has made is to err indeed.
4、逝者如斯夫，不舍昼夜。It passes on just like this, not ceasing day or night!
5、己所不欲，勿施于人。What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
6、有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?
7、德不孤，必有邻。Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practises it will have neighbors.
8、性相近也，习相远也。By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
9、学而不厌，悔人不倦。 Study hard and never feel contented,and never be tired of teaching others.
10、学而时习之，不亦说乎？ Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseveranceand application?
11、当仁，不让于师。 When it comes to benevolence, one need not give precedence even to his teacher.
12、人无远虑，必有近忧。If a man take no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.
13、朝闻道，夕死可矣。 If one learns the truth in the morning,one would never regret dying the same evening.
14、学而不思则罔，思而不学则殆。Learning without thought is labourlost; thought without learning is perilous.
15、食不厌精，脍不厌细。He did not dislike to have his rice finely cleaned, nor to have his minced meat cut quite small.
16、学如不及，犹恐失之。 Learn as if you could not reach your object, and were always fearing also lest you should lose it.
17、不患人之不己知，患不知人也。I will not be afflicted at men"s not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I do not know men.
18、人不知而不愠，不亦君子乎？Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of him?
19、君子以文会友，以友辅仁。The superior man on grounds of culture meets with his friends, and by their friendship helps his virtue.
20、敏而好学，不耻下问。 He was of an active nature and yet fond of learning, and he was not ashamed to ask and learn of his inferiors.
21、后生可畏，焉知来者之不如今也?A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?
22、关睢乐而不淫，哀而不伤。The Kwan Tsu is expressive of enjoyment without being licentious, and of grief without being hurtfully excessive.
23、温故而知新，可以为师矣。 If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge, so as continually to be acquiring new, he may be a teacher of others.
24、逝者如斯夫!不舍昼夜。 Standing by the side of a river,Confucius sighed,Time is going on like this river,flowing away endlessly day and night.
25、岁寒，然后知松柏之后凋也。 Only when the weather turns cold can we see that the leaves of pines and cypresses are the last to wither and fall.
26、学而不思则罔，思而不学则殆。 It throws one into bewilderment to read without thinking whereas it places one in jeopardy to think without reading.
27、老者安之，朋友信之，少者怀之。 I wish for the old to live in peace and comfort,friends to trust each other and the young to be taken good care of.
28、三军可夺师也，匹夫不可夺志也。The commander of the forces of a large State may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him.
29、十室之邑，必有忠信，如丘者焉，不如丘之好学也。 In a hamlet of ten families, there may be found one honourable and sincere as I am, but not so fond of learning.
30、我非生而知之者，好古，敏以求之者也。 I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.
31、父母在，不远游，游必有方。While his parents are alive, the son may not go abroad to a distance. If he does go abroad, he must have a fixed place to which he goes.
32、知之者，不如好之者，好之者，不如乐之者。 They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.
33、士志于道，而耻恶衣恶食者，未足与议也。 It is not worthwhile to have discussions with a scholar who is willing to search for the truth,but is ashamed of poor food and dress.
34、默而识之，学而不厌，诲人不倦，何有于我哉。 The silent treasuring up of knowledge; learning without satiety; and instructing others without being wearied -- which one of these things belongs to me?
35、三人行，必有我师焉。择其善者而从之，其不善者而改之。 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.
36、非礼勿视，非礼勿听，非礼勿言，非礼勿动。Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.
37、知者乐水，仁者乐山。知者动，仁者静。知者乐，仁者寿。The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived.
38、唯女子与小人，为难养也。近之则不孙，远之则怨。Of all people, girls and servants are the most difficult to behave to. If you are familiar with them, they lose their humility. If you maintain a reserve towards them, they are discontented.
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