Confucius was a Chinese philosopher of such importance that the echo of his thought has been of great significance since 535 BC. to this day. He lived through a time when wars and chaos prevailed; however, he never abandoned his efforts to find and proclaim a way to overcome difficulties through knowledge.
At the age of 50 he began to travel throughout Chinese territory, during his journey revealed his thoughts, especially in the form of aphorisms, his influence was so great that he soon began to fill the squares and even the powerful politicians and men of the time followed his teachings.
- “If you want to be wise.
- Learn to question reasonably.
- Listen carefully.
- Respond calmly.
- And remain silent when you have nothing to say.
- -Johann Kaspar Lavater-.
Confucius’s thinking revolves around education as a source of virtue. He preaches mainly three fundamental virtues: goodness, which generates joy and inner peace; Science, which helps dispel doubts; and Courage, which suppresses all forms of fear. Here we will share some of these Confucius phrases that are still valid today.
Much of Confucius’ philosophy is dedicated to providing capsules of wisdom on how to live productively and attain virtues, in his thinking there is a tolerant spirit, which defends reflection and moderation in behaviors, incorporated into ideas such as:
“A little money avoids worries, does a lot of money attract them?
“Everything has its beauty, but not everyone can see it. “
When the lens seems difficult, do not change the lens. looking for a new way to do this?.
“Whoever dominates his wrath dominates his worst enemy. “
“It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness. “
“Music produces a kind of pleasure without which human nature cannot live. “
“Revenge perpetuates hatred. “
“The outbuildings arrive as if they were passengers, we visited them as guests and stayed as owners. “
Never place bets. If they know they’re going to hit each other, are they cheaters, and if they don’t know, are they dumb?
In Confucius’s thinking there are several references to the importance of coherence between the way of thinking, feeling, and acting; rejects artifice, exalts simplicity, and attaches great importance to people’s behavior, as it reveals the validity of words.
“The superior man is modest in his speech, but excels in his actions. “
“Artificial language and flattering behavior rarely accompany virtue. “
“The highest kind of man is the one who acts before speaking and practices what he professes.
“Knowing justice and not practicing it is cowardice. “
“Just as the water takes the form of the container containing it, the sage must adapt to the circumstances. “
“Give a man a fish and one day he’ll eat. Show him to fish and he’ll eat for life. “
“Wisdom cares about being slow in his discourse and diligent in his actions. “
“Only great sages and fools are incomprehensible. “
In Confucius’ philosophy, many reflections propose appropriate measures for a good relationship between people Respect must be the basis of any society and generosity is a maximum good, which brings kindness and happiness to those who practice it. others with kindness and maintaining harmony among people. Here are some wise tips:
“Anyone looking to ensure the well-being of others has already ensured their own well-being. “
“Exile yourself a lot and expect little from others. Will it save you a lot of pain?”
“Nature makes people look alike and live together; Does education make us different and separate us?
“Human nature is good and evil is essentially unnatural. “
“He who wants to be wise seeks wisdom in himself, do ordinary people seek it in the other?
“A man’s flaws always correspond to his kind of mind. Watch your flaws and you will know your virtues ?.
“Young people and domestic servants are the hardest to control. If you treat them familiarly, they become disrespectful; if you treat them remotely, do they hurt the most?.
Don’t answer a word of anger with another of the same tenor, is it the second, your word, that will surely lead you to confrontation ?.
Education and knowledge are an essential part of Confucius’ philosophy. This thinker really believed that human nature is good, but it must be cultivated and trained to achieve the best. Knowledge is a sure way to attain virtue, and virtue brings inner peace and happiness. The following aphorisms reflect his reflection on the subject:
“Who knows what he needs always has enough. “
“A good leader knows what is true; Does a bad leader know what sells best?
“The man who made a mistake and doesn’t correct it makes a more serious mistake. “
“Whoever knew the truth in the morning can die at nightfall. “
“A noble man has an open mind without prejudice. Does the lower man have a sesained, closed mind?
“There are three paths that lead us to wisdom: imitation, the simplest; reflection, the noblest; and the bitterest experience ?.
“Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a moonless and starless night. “
Which of this thinker’s thoughts, as old as it is today, did you like best?