Famous quotes that became life hits, left by Confucius, the founder of Confucianism.
Confucius was a thinker and philosopher who was active in China during the Spring and Autumn period, and he is counted among the Four Sages alongside the Buddha, Christ, and Socrates.
Did you know that the Analects—compiled by his disciples—still contain many ideas that resonate with people’s daily lives even after many centuries?
This time, we will introduce some of the famous sayings Confucius left behind.
You’ll find words that jolt you when you’re troubled and perspectives so fundamental we tend to forget them—offering hints for living from a variety of angles.
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Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, left behind quotes that became life hits (1–10)
Good medicine tastes bitter but benefits the illness; honest advice is unpleasant to hear but beneficial to conduct.Confucius
To gain certain benefits—like taking a bitter medicine to treat an illness—we’re sometimes required to endure discomfort.
This quote clearly conveys that idea: just as good medicine is often bitter, good advice is often hard to accept.
For those who’ve experienced the effectiveness of bitter medicine, these words can inspire them to endure and accept even the advice that’s difficult to take in.
When anger arises, imagine its outcome.Confucius
Anger is one of the most intense human emotions, and when it can’t be controlled, it may escalate into trouble.
Here is a saying by Confucius that helps you restrain such anger while supporting the avoidance of conflict.
It conveys that you should imagine what kind of outcome will result if you unleash the anger that has surged in your heart, and then decide what to do with that anger based on the consequences you foresee.
By inserting the step of envisioning the outcome of anger, these words seem to embody a strategy aimed at helping you regain a calm state of mind.
To see what is right and not do it is a lack of courage.Confucius
It’s a famous saying that encourages doing what is right, conveying the idea that failing to act despite knowing what is just comes from a lack of courage.
It teaches that the person who can extend a helping hand to someone in need right before them is the one who truly has courage—an ideal long valued in Bushidō.
Getting involved does carry risks, but the saying urges us to take that first step, as it leads to personal growth.
It also seems to caution us in our daily lives about how foolish it is to turn a blind eye.
Confucianism’s founding sage, Confucius, left behind quotes that became life hits (11–20)
Human nature is almost the same in everyone. The differences arise from each person’s habits.Confucius
This saying means that while all humans stand at the same starting line at birth, they become very different people depending on their later habits.
In other words, it’s not about what’s innate; the kind of person you become is determined by acquired effort and habits.
Seeing these words really drives home the importance of never neglecting daily effort and training, and of steadily building on your hard work.
It’s a phrase I’d like anyone striving toward a goal to treasure.
Virtue is never solitary; it always has companions.Confucius
People who possess exceptional talents that set them apart may often feel lonely.
However, Confucius left us the words: “Virtue is never solitary; it always has neighbors.” This means that a person of virtue does not remain alone—understanding and supportive companions will surely appear.
If you are walking the path you believe in and feeling lonely, why not recall these words? They will give you courage and help you press on.
May someone who understands and supports you appear.
A person’s true worth is tested in adversity. A master of life enjoys adversity, and also enjoys prosperity.Confucius
Haven’t you ever felt that a person’s true nature is revealed precisely when they’re in a tight spot? You might feel reassured by a team captain’s attitude when the game is on the line, fall in love with your partner all over again—or become disillusioned—after a travel mishap.
This saying by Confucius captures exactly those moments.
It teaches the importance of thinking about how to get out of a predicament precisely when you’re facing adversity.
It goes on to say that a master of life enjoys adversity and also enjoys times when everything is going smoothly.
That, too, is something very important in life.
People are born similar in nature, but become different through habit and learning.Confucius
It’s a situation anyone can find themselves in—feeling inferior because it seems like others were born with different talents.
This famous saying by Confucius makes us reflect on the relationship between innate talents and traits, and the things that are shaped by the environments we encounter later.
It expresses the idea that there is no inherent difference in innate ability; the differences arise from habits and environments formed afterward.
Thinking that what matters is acquired can give us the strength to try to improve our current situation.