How can you love people without encouraging them? And how can you be loyal to people without educating them.

— Confucius

How to play music may be known. At the commencement of the piece, all the parts should sound together. As it proceeds, they should be in harmony while severally distinct and flowing without break, and thus on to the conclusion.

— Confucius

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.

— Confucius

I am not one who was born with great wisdom. I love the ancients and diligently seek wisdom among them.

— Confucius

If a craftsman wants to do good work, he must first sharpen his tools.

— Confucius

If a man take no thought about what is distant he will find sorrow near at hand.

— Confucius

If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.

— Confucius

If I raise one corner for someone, and he cannot come back with the other three, I do not go on.

— Confucius

If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things.

— Confucius

If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish.

— Confucius