I regard monotheism as the greatest disaster ever to befall the human race. I see no good in Judaism, Christianity, or Islam - good people, yes, but any religion based on a single, well, frenzied and virulent god, is not as useful to the human race as, say, Confucianism, which is not a religion but an ethical and educational system.
— Gore Vidal
Massive Confucianism quotations
Every single one of the major world faiths, whether we're talking about Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Darwinism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, have all come to the conclusion that what holds us back from our better self is ego, selfishness, greed, unkindness, hatred. And it all springs from a sense of thwarted ego.
In archery we have something like the way of the superior man.
When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself.
Happiness exist when you don't know a thing
Reviewing what you have learned and learning anew, you are fit to be a teacher.
If you try to do too much, you will not achieve anything.
Respect yourself and others will respect you.
Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established
Choose a career you love and you will never have to go to work.
The Superior Man has nothing to compete for.
But if he must compete, he does it in an archery match, wherein he ascends to his position, bowing in deference. Descending, he drinks the ritual cup.
If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.
Those who know the TRUTH are not equal to those who love it.
All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.
Men's natures are alike; it is their habits that separate them.
The Way of the warrior does not include other ways, such as Confucianism, Buddhism, certain traditions, artistic accomplishments, and dancing. But even though these are not part of the Way, if you know the Way broadly, you will see it in everything.
When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self.
Study the past if you would define the future.
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. Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come.
The Superior Man is aware of Righteousness, the inferior man is aware of advantage.
When I walk along with two others, from at least one I will be able to learn.
The superior man cannot be known in little matters, but he may be entrusted with great concerns. The small man may not be entrusted with great concerns, but he may be known in little matters.
Taoist chanting, Confucian chanting, Christian chanting, Buddhist chanting don't matter. Chanting Coca Cola, Coca Cola, Coca Cola … can be just as good if you keep a clear mind. But if you don't keep a clear mind, and are only following your thinking as you mouth the words, even the Buddha cannot help you.
By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
The gods should certainly be revered, but kept at a distance.
.. . The way is not beyond man; he who creates a way outside of man cannot make it a true way. A good man is content with changing man, and that is enough for him.
If a man has no humaneness what can his propriety be like? If a man has no humaneness what can his happiness be like?
Wealth and honor, benefits and blessings shall enrich my life;
poverty and failures, grief and anxiety shall help fulfill it. In my life, I will serve heaven and earth; in death I will find peace.
If you don't know how to serve men, why worry about serving the gods?
To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.
There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute.
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.
Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone.
The Superior Man is all-embracing and not partial.
The inferior man is partial and not all-embracing.
Great as heaven and earth are, men still find some things in them with which to be dissatisfied. Thus it is that, were the superior man to speak of his way in all its greatness, nothing in the world would be found able to embrace it, and were he to speak of it in its minuteness, nothing in the world would be found able to split it.
They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.