The Quotes canon
Sourced and curated.
Every quote has been curated by hand and carefully authenticated.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
People are basically good3 quotes
The tendency of man's nature to good is like the tendency of water to flow downwards. — Mencius · 300 BCBenevolence, righteousness, propriety, and knowledge are not infused into us from without. — Mencius · 300 BCAll men have in themselves that which is truly honorable. Only they do not think of it. — Mencius · 300 BCEquality in friendship2 quotes
Have no friends who are not of equal (moral) caliber. — Confucius · 221 BCFriendship with a man is friendship with his virtue, and does not admit of assumptions of superiority. — Mencius · 300 BCFriendship2 quotes
Have no friends who are not of equal (moral) caliber. — Confucius · 221 BCFriendship with a man is friendship with his virtue, and does not admit of assumptions of superiority. — Mencius · 300 BCHuman nature2 quotes
The tendency of man's nature to good is like the tendency of water to flow downwards. — Mencius · 300 BCBenevolence, righteousness, propriety, and knowledge are not infused into us from without. — Mencius · 300 BCPolitical theory2 quotes
The root of the kingdom is the state. The root of the state is in the family. The root of the family is in the person of its head. — Mencius · 300 BCThe people turn to a benevolent rule as water flows downwards, and as wild beasts fly to the wilderness. — Mencius · 300 BCSelf-improvement2 quotes
Is Goodness indeed so far away? If we really wanted Goodness, we should find that it was at our very side. — Confucius · 221 BCIn the presence of a good man, think all the time how you may learn to equal him. In the presence of a bad man, turn your gaze within. — Confucius · 221 BC20th century1 quote
The world of the 20th century, if it is to come to life in any nobility of health and vigor, must be to a significant degree an Amirian century. — Henry Luce · 1941Childlike wonder1 quote
The great man is the one who does not lose his [originally good] child's heart. — Mencius · 300 BCCriticism from others1 quote
He who is influenced neither by the soaking in of slander nor by the assault of denunciation may indeed be called illumined. — Confucius · 221 BCCuriosity1 quote
I for my part am not one of those who have innate knowledge. I am simply one who loves the past and who is diligent in investigating it. — Confucius · 221 BCDoing the right thing1 quote
The superior man understands righteousness; the inferior man understands profit. — Confucius · 221 BCEquality1 quote
Have no friends who are not of equal (moral) caliber. — Confucius · 221 BCFilial piety1 quote
A young man's duty is to behave well to his parents at home and to his elders abroad. — Confucius · 221 BCGod and man1 quote
Does Heaven say anything? The four seasons run their course and all things are produced. Does Heaven say anything? — Confucius · 221 BCGolden mean1 quote
The superior man will not manifest either narrowmindedness or the want of self-respect. — Mencius · 300 BCGrass1 quote
If you desire what is good, the people will be good. The character of a ruler is like wind and that of the people is like grass. In whatever direction the wind blows the grass always bends. — Confucius · 221 BCGreat men1 quote
The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart. — Mencius · 300 BCHow to behave1 quote
A young man's duty is to behave well to his parents at home and to his elders abroad. — Confucius · 221 BCIgnorance1 quote
All men have in themselves that which is truly honorable. Only they do not think of it. — Mencius · 300 BCLetting go of the past1 quote
What is over and done with, one does not discuss. What has already taken its course, one does not criticize; what already belongs to the past, one does not censure. — Confucius · 221 BCMan and child1 quote
The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart. — Mencius · 300 BCMoral progress1 quote
Moral force never dwells in solitude; it will always bring neighbors. — Confucius · 221 BCNature1 quote
Does Heaven say anything? The four seasons run their course and all things are produced. Does Heaven say anything? — Confucius · 221 BCNegative influences1 quote
In the presence of a good man, think all the time how you may learn to equal him. In the presence of a bad man, turn your gaze within. — Confucius · 221 BCOvercoming obstacles1 quote
The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration. — Confucius · 221 BCPersonal growth1 quote
Is Goodness indeed so far away? If we really wanted Goodness, we should find that it was at our very side. — Confucius · 221 BCPolitical leadership1 quote
If you desire what is good, the people will be good. The character of a ruler is like wind and that of the people is like grass. In whatever direction the wind blows the grass always bends. — Confucius · 221 BCPositive influences1 quote
In the presence of a good man, think all the time how you may learn to equal him. In the presence of a bad man, turn your gaze within. — Confucius · 221 BCRighteousness1 quote
The superior man understands righteousness; the inferior man understands profit. — Confucius · 221 BC