Confucian, Daoist, Legalist quotes

Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)

- If his mat were not straight, he would not sit down

-Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.

-Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.

-Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.

-I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

-Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.

-It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

-Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.

-Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.

-Respect yourself and others will respect you.

-Study the past if you would define the future.

-The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved.

-To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.

-To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.

-To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.

-What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.

-When anger rises, think of the consequences.

-When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

-They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

-By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.

-Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

-Have no friends not equal to yourself.

-He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

-He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

-He with whom neither slander that gradually soaks into the mind, nor statements that startle like a wound in the flesh, are successful may be called intelligent indeed.

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.

-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.

-I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue would esteem nothing above it.  

Lao Tzu

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
 

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

“Simplicity,  patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.”
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.”
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

 “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
― Lao Tzu

 “Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.”
― Lao Tzu, Tao Teh Ching

 “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
― Lao Tzu

 “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”
― Lao Tzu

 “When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.”
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

 “The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.”
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

 “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
― Lao Tzu

 “Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,' is like saying, 'I don't want to.”
― Lao Tzu

“Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.”
― Lao Tzu

Han Fei Tzu

(c.280 BC-233 BC) Philosopher and political theorist of the Legalist School (Fa Chia)

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It is dangerous for a ruler to trust others. He who trusts others can be manipulated by others.

Indeed, customs differ between the past and the present. To try to govern the people of a chaotic age with benevolence and lenient measures is like to drive wild horses without reins and whips.

In usual circumstances, everyone knows that water overwhelms fire. However, when there is a kettle between them, water will get bubbly and will boil itself away on the top, while fire will endure underneath.

Tao does not have a visible existence, nor does it have an intelligible function.

When you hear any statements made, do not alter or shift them. Just compare them with the actions, and observe whether the statements and actions correspond with each other.

When it comes to women, the wise ruler may enjoy them, but should not be drawn into their pleas or submit to their requests.

When it comes to people who are close to him, he enjoys them, but is sure to hold them responsible for what they say, and prevent them from expressing unasked for opinions.

When it comes to uncles, brothers, and chief vassals, he should punish them when their advice leads to failure, and promote them when their advice leads to success. He should not promote them erratically.

When it comes to pleasures and the enjoyment of valuable goods, he should have a staff tha handles these things, and prohibit anyone from having the freedom to control them. Otherwise, ministers will be able to manipulate the sovereign by knowing his wants.

When it comes to favors, he should grant them at his own will to use emergency resources and public storehouses, and benefit the people. A minister should never be allowed to give based on his personal favorites.

When it comes to persuasions and discussions, he must observe and find out people who are considered skillful at something, and verify the lack of skill in those who are considered bad. He should always avoid letting ministers talk to each other about them.

The wise ruler institutes posts, offices, ranks, and bounties in order to offer a guarantee to promote the worthy and encourage the excellent. …