Thursday, August 14, 2008

Thursday Thirteen #71: Confucius Say (Part 1)


Confucius (September 28, 551 BC - 479 BC) was a Chinese thinker, political figure, and educator who lived during the Spring and Autumn Period. His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. His thoughts were developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism, introduced to Europe by the Jesuit Matteo Ricci, who was the first to Latinise the name as "Confucius."

In honor of the Beijing Olympics, here are thirteen quotes by Confucius...

* Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.

* Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.

* To know that we know what we know, and that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.

* He who will not economize, will have to agonize.

* Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon or star.

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

* Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.

* 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.

* Study the past if you would define the future.

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

* No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.

* An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

* By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

Bonus:
If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.




LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:

Janice Seagraves * Alice Audrey * AJ O'Donovan
Jennifer Leeland * Tempest Knight * Savannah Chase
Savvyone * Robon L. Rotham * Kaige
Paige Tyler * Adelle Laudan * Dayle
Mysti Holiday * Eaton Bennett

(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!




13 comments:

Savannah Chase said...

he has some really great quotes...I have used some of his stuff too in my friday quote blogs...

Happy T13

Anonymous said...

Hey, I like your new look.

The one about planting a sead is going to stick with me, I can already tell.

Robin L. Rotham said...

I guess I'll never be perfectly virtuous, since gravity isn't part of my personality makeup. Oh well. :D

Anonymous said...

Great TT, love it. Have to copy those quotes off ya.

Unknown said...

Kewl TT. I needed some insight today. Thanks for sharing.

Heather said...

Savannah~ He was quite a profound man, wasn't he?

Alice~ Thank you - as you can see, I'm still working on getting all the links and stuff back.

Robin~ ROFL - I have my own difficulties with gravity, so no comment. ;)

Savvy~ Thank you - copy away! ;)

Paige~ Thanks!

Heather said...

Thanks Adelle~ Happy to inspire!

Jennifer McKenzie said...

I love these. Especially the bonus one.

Mysti Holiday said...

The one:

It doesn't matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

Could be talking about my writing! LOL...

I'm up here -- talking about SPAM.

Heather said...

Thanks Jennifer and Mysti!

Janice Seagraves said...

His quotes hold then as they do today.

Happy TT.

Janice~

Eaton Bennett aka Berenice Albrecht said...

Interesting TT!. My husband is always on about "He who will not economize will agonize"...Grrr. I believe, "Study the past and you will define the future". Great stuff! :)

Heather said...

Janice~ Yes, his words certainly hold as true today as they did centuries ago.

Eaton~ LOL at your husband. Like you, I believe knowing what has past is important for shaping the future.