100 Famous Quotations from Chinese Classics

Text 1. Confucius said: "Isn't it right to learn and practice it from time to time? Isn't it a pleasure to have friends come from afar? People don't know it. "Isn't it a gentleman to be unhappy?" "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "Isn't it happy to have friends from far away? You don’t understand me, but I don’t resent you. Aren’t you also a gentleman?”

2. Confucius said: “A gentleman who has nothing to eat and nothing to live in, who is quick in matters and cautious in speech, has the right. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "A gentleman does not seek satisfaction in food and comfort, does not seek comfort in his residence, works diligently and speaks cautiously, and goes to the company of virtuous people. If you correct yourself, you can be said to be eager to learn."

3. Youzi said: "The most important thing in the use of etiquette is harmony."

The translation of Youzi said: "The application of etiquette. , harmony is the most important."

4. Confucius said: "Don't be afraid of what others don't know; If others don’t understand me, I’m afraid that I don’t understand others.”

5. Master said: “When I was fifteen, I was determined to learn; At sixty, one's ears are attuned; at seventy, one can follow the heart's desires without restraint. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation: Confucius said: "When I was fifteen, I was determined to learn, when I was thirty, I was based on society, and when I was forty, I had mastered knowledge. Confused, at fifty you understand and comply with the laws of nature; at sixty you can tell right from wrong when hearing what others say; at seventy you can do whatever you want without going beyond the rules."

6. Confucius said: "The gentleman "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "A gentleman unites people universally without colluding with each other; villains collude with each other but cannot unite people universally." < /p>

7. Confucius said: "Learning without thinking will lead to failure; thinking without learning will lead to peril." "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "Just reading without thinking deeply will lead to failure." Being at a loss and knowing nothing; just daydreaming without reading will lead to doubts."

8. Confucius said: "When you see the virtuous, you should think about it, and when you see the virtuous, you should introspect yourself." "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "When you see a virtuous person, you should try to emulate him; when you see an unvirtuous person, you should reflect on yourself."

9. Zigong said: "It is the fault of a gentleman. , Just like the eclipse of the sun and the moon: when it passes, everyone sees it; when it changes, everyone admires it. ""The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Zigong said: "The faults of a gentleman are like eclipses of the sun and eclipses. It’s the same as a lunar eclipse: when you make a mistake, everyone sees it; when you correct it, everyone looks up to you. ”

10. The Master said: “Virtue is not alone, there must be neighbors. ”

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Translation Confucius said: "A moral person will never be alone. There will be like-minded people as his partners."

11. Zixia said: "If you are an official, you will learn. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Zixia said: "If you have enough energy to become an official, you can study, and if you have enough energy to study, you can become an official." ”

12. Confucius said: “If quality is better than literature, then there will be wildness; if literature is better than quality, then history will be achieved.” Be gentle and polite, then be a gentleman. "

"The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "If there is more simplicity than grace, it will appear crude; if there is more grace than simplicity, it will become glitz. A gentleman can only become a gentleman if he has the right combination of culture and simplicity. ”

13. Confucius said: “Those who know are not as good as those who are good at it, and those who are good at it are not as good as those who are happy.” "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "Those who understand anything are not as good as those who love it, and those who love it are not as good as those who take pleasure in it." ”

14. Confucius said: “I know it silently, I am not tired of learning, I am not tired of teaching others, what is that for me? "

"The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "Write down silently what you have learned, keep learning without getting bored, teach others without getting tired, these are what I can do. How is it? "

15. Zixia said: "We are all brothers in the four seas. ”

Translation Zixia said: “Everyone in the world should be brothers. ”

16. The Master said: “Being rich and noble through unrighteousness is like a floating cloud to me. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "Gaining wealth and status by doing unjust things is like floating clouds to me."

17. Confucius said: "When three people walk, they must have my teacher. Choose the good ones and follow them, and change the bad ones." ""The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "When several people walk together, there must be someone worthy of my study as a teacher; I choose the good among them and learn from them, and correct the bad ones when I see them. come over. "

18. The Master said: "How far is benevolence? I desire benevolence, and this is the utmost benevolence. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "Is benevolence far away from us?" I need benevolence, and benevolence will come. ”

19. Confucius said: “A gentleman is magnanimous, but a villain is always concerned.” "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "A gentleman's mind is broad and open, while a villain is always cramped and worried." ”

20. Zengzi said: “A scholar cannot be without great perseverance. The responsibilities are heavy and the road ahead is long.”

Isn’t it important to think of benevolence as one’s own responsibility? Isn't it just a matter of time before death? "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Zeng Zi said: "An intellectual cannot do without a broad mind and strong perseverance, because he shoulders a major historical mission and the road is long." Isn’t it important to take the realization of benevolence as one’s historical mission? The pursuit of this ideal can only be stopped until death. Isn’t it a long way to go? ”

21. Confucius said: “Knowing words and making people look fresh are benevolent.” "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "People who talk sweetly and show off rarely have benevolence and righteousness." "

22. The Master said on the river: "The deceased is like this? Don't give up day and night. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius sighed on the bank of the river: "The passage of time is like this river!" It flows day and night. ”

23. Confucius said: “If his body is upright, he will not do what he is told; if his body is not upright, he will not do what he is told.” "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "Those who are above must behave righteously, and those below can do it without giving orders. If they do not behave righteously, even if they give orders, those below will not obey." ”

24. Confucius said: “The gentleman is harmonious but not uniform; the villain is harmonious but not harmonious.” "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "The gentleman values ??harmony and does not insist on being exactly the same; the villain insists on being identical but does not value harmony." ”

25. Confucius said: “A gentleman is peaceful but not arrogant, and a villain is arrogant but not arrogant.” "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "A gentleman is peaceful and generous but not arrogant; a villain is arrogant but not peaceful and generous." ”

26. Confucius said: “A gentleman is ashamed of his words and goes beyond his deeds. ”

Translation Confucius said: “It is a shame for a gentleman to talk too much and do too little.” ”

27. Confucius said: “It is difficult to be poor without resentment, but easy to be rich without arrogance.” "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "It is difficult to be poor without complaining, but easy to be rich without being proud." "

28. Confucius said: "Don't worry about what others don't know, but worry about what they can't do. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "You are not afraid that others do not understand you, but you are afraid that you are incapable." ”

29. Confucius said: “A gentleman is reserved and does not fight, and he is a group but not party.” ”

Translation Confucius said: “A gentleman is dignified and does not quarrel; he gathers together without forming cliques.” ”

30. Confucius said: “A man with lofty ideals and benevolence will not harm his benevolence by seeking life, but will kill himself to achieve benevolence.” "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "A man of lofty ideals and benevolence cannot compromise his benevolence in order to survive. He can only sacrifice himself to fulfill his benevolence." ”

31. Confucius said: “If a person has no long-term worries, he must have immediate worries. ""The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "If a person does not have long-term plans, he will definitely have immediate worries. ”

32. Confucius said: “A gentleman seeks everything from himself, while a villain seeks everything from others.” "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "A gentleman is strict with himself in everything, and a petty person is strict with others." ”

33. Confucius said: “A gentleman does not use words to lift people up, nor does he use people to waste words.” "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "A gentleman does not recommend people based on words alone, nor does he invalidate his words based on people alone." "

34. Zigong asked: "Is there anyone who can say something that can be carried out throughout his life? Confucius said: "What a complaint!" Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Zigong asked Confucius: "Is there one sentence that can be followed throughout life?" Confucius said: "That is the way of forgiveness!" What I am unwilling to impose on myself should not be imposed on others. ”

35. The Master said: “Close words confuse virtue. A little impatience will mess up a big plan. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "Funny words can corrupt virtue." Failure to tolerate small things will ruin big things. ”

36. Confucius said: “If the ways are different, we should not conspire against each other.” ""The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "Those who have different opinions cannot work together to make trouble for each other. ”

37. Confucius said: “Three friends will benefit you, and three friends will harm you.” Friends who are straight, friends who are understanding, and friends who are knowledgeable are beneficial. If you have friends, you will be brave. If you are friendly, you will be gentle. If you have friends, you will be sycophantic, which is a loss. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "There are three kinds of helpful friends and three kinds of harmful friends." It is beneficial to make friends with integrity, friends with integrity, and friends with extensive knowledge. It is harmful to associate with flattering people, with people who flatter others on the surface but slander others behind their backs, and with people who are good at smooth talk. ”

38. Confucius said: “Three pleasures will be gained, and three pleasures will be harmed.” It is beneficial to enjoy festivals, rituals, and music, enjoy the kindness of Taoists, and enjoy many virtuous friends. Happy to be arrogant, happy to wander, happy to be happy, it is a loss. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "There are three kinds of beneficial happiness, and there are three kinds of harmful happiness." It is beneficial to take pleasure in abstaining from rituals and music, to take pleasure in promoting the merits of others, and to take pleasure in making friends with virtuous people. It is harmful to take pleasure in arrogance and licentiousness, to take pleasure in dissipation, and to take pleasure in feasting and debauchery. ”

39. Confucius said: “A gentleman has three precepts: when he is young, his blood and vitality are not stable, and his warning lies in appearance; when he is strong, his blood and vitality are strong, and his warning lies in fighting.” As you get older and your vitality declines, it's time to take precautions. "

"The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "A gentleman has three precepts: when he is young and his blood is not stable, he should abstain from women; in his prime, when his blood is strong, he should abstain from fighting.

In old age, the vitality has weakened, so we must avoid greed. ”

40. Confucius said: “A gentleman has nine thoughts: he thinks of seeing clearly, thinking of things that are clever, thinking of warm looks, thinking of respectful appearance, thinking of loyalty in words, thinking of respect in actions, thinking of doubts, and thinking of anger. Seeing the meaning. "The Analects of Confucius"

Translation Confucius said: "A gentleman has nine points to consider: whether he understands what he sees, whether he hears clearly, whether his face is gentle, and whether his attitude is humble. When speaking, you should consider whether you are loyal, when doing things, you should consider whether you are dedicated, when you have questions, you should consider how to ask others for advice, when you are upset, you should consider whether there are dangers, and when you receive benefits, you should consider not forgetting your duty. ”

41. If you love others broadly and are kind and benevolent, then study "Disciple Rules"

Translation: When getting along with the public, you must be equal and fraternal, and get close to people who are kind and virtuous. He studies, these are very important things that must be done. If you still have extra time and energy after doing it, you should study the Six Arts and other useful knowledge.

42. Be light on property. Why does resentment arise when words are tolerated? "Disciple Rules"

Translation: When getting along with others, do not worry about property, and resentment will not arise. Be tolerant and tolerant in words, say more good things, do not say bad things, and hold back angry words. Unnecessary conflicts and resentments will naturally disappear.

43. Parents must respect their responsibilities and obey the "Disciple Rules"

Translation: Parents teach us how to behave. The truth is for our own good, and we should listen respectfully. When we do something wrong, we should accept it with an open mind.

44. Do not call your elders by their names. "Disciple Rules" < /p>

When addressing elders, do not call them by their names. In front of elders, you must be humble and polite, and do not show off your talents.

45. It is easy to cherish the old when you wake up early and go to bed late. At this time, "Disciple Rules"

Translation: We should get up as early as possible in the morning and go to bed as late as possible at night, because the years of life are very limited and time passes easily. Young people will become old people in a blink of an eye, so we must cherish the precious present. Time.

46. Clothes should be noble and clean, not expensive. "Disciple Rules"

Translation: Clothing should be neat and tidy, and it is not necessary to pay attention to expensive, brand-name or gorgeous clothes. Dressing should take into account one's status and occasion, as well as the financial situation of the family, which is the way to run a household.

47. Do not drink alcohol when you are young. Drinking is the most ugly thing. "Disciple Rules"

< p>Translation Teenagers who are underage should not drink alcohol. Adults should not drink too much. See how much trouble a drunkard can cause by talking crazy and showing his ugly face.

48. Don’t be too busy and make many mistakes. Don’t be afraid of difficulties. Don't ignore the "Disciple Rules"

Don't do things in a hurry, because it is easy to make mistakes when you are busy. Don't be afraid of hardships and hesitate to shrink, and don't be hasty and deal with things casually.

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49. If you do not ask, you must ask for permission.

When borrowing other people’s things, you must make it clear in advance and ask for permission. If you do not ask for permission in advance, Taking without permission is an act of stealing.

50. "Disciple Rules"

Translation: When speaking, honesty should come first, and promise to others. You must abide by your promises when doing things, and do not use deception or sweet talk.

51. Don’t talk lightly when you see the truth. Don’t spread the "Disciple Rules"

Any translation. Don’t express opinions easily before you see the truth of the matter. If you don’t understand the matter clearly enough, don’t spread it arbitrarily to avoid negative consequences.

52. When you see good people, think about them and leave them alone. When you see the merits or good deeds of others, you should immediately think of learning to match them. Even if your current abilities are very different, you should make up your mind and gradually catch up.

53. Don’t be selfish when you have the ability, and don’t take lightly what others can do. "Disciple Rules"

Translation: When you have the ability to serve others, don’t be selfish, only consider I am reluctant to give. If others are capable, don't look down upon them, let alone be jealous.

54. All people must love the heaven and the earth. "Disciple Rules"

Translation: As long as they are human beings, regardless of ethnic group, race, or religious belief, they must love each other. . All things are born and grow in the heaven and earth. We should help and cooperate with each other regardless of you and me, in order to maintain this harmonious and prosperous life system.

55. "Disciple Rules"

Translation: If a person hears others talking about his own shortcomings, he will be angry; if he hears others praising himself, he will be angry. Just be happy, then bad friends will come close to you, and real good friends will gradually become distant and retreat.

56. Those who speak are not guilty, but those who hear are warned. "The Book of Songs"

Those who translate and recite it have no sin, but those who listen can be warned.

57. Words are useless, but actions are not far away. "Zuo Zhuan"

If the translation has no literary grace, it will not spread far.

58. Never forgetting the past is the teacher of the future. "Warring States Policy"

The translation is often used to refer to remembering past experiences and lessons as a reference for future actions.

59. It is never too late to make up for the lost sheep.

"Warring States Policy"

Translation: The sheep has strayed, it is not too late to repair the sheepfold quickly. It is a metaphor that mistakes should be corrected in time.

60. The snipe and the clam fight, and the fisherman wins. "Warring States Policy"

The translation means that in a trap environment, don't be too competitive with your opponents, so as not to forget the larger and similar enemy.

61. When a benevolent person sees it, it is called benevolence; when a wise person sees it, it is called knowledge. "Book of Changes"

Translation: When a kind person observes things, he sees the "benevolence" side; when a wise person observes things, he sees the "wisdom" side.

62. Heaven is moving vigorously, and a gentleman strives to constantly strive for self-improvement. "Book of Changes"

Translation The movement of celestial bodies is strong and powerful. A gentleman should behave like the sky, striving for progress and never stopping.

63. If you are full, you will suffer losses, but if you are modest, you will benefit. "Shang Shu"

Translation Pride and complacency will lead to losses, while humility and humility will bring benefits.

64. Preparation will lead to success, failure to do so will result in failure. "Book of Rites"

No matter what you do, you will succeed if you prepare in advance, otherwise you will fail.

65. If jade is not polished, it will not become a tool; if a person does not learn, he will not know. "Book of Rites"

Translation If jade is not carved, it will not become a jade article; if a person does not learn, he will not understand the truth.

66. After learning, you will realize your shortcomings; after teaching, you will realize your difficulties. "Book of Rites"

Only after studying the translation will you know your shortcomings, and only after teaching it will you know your confusion.

67. On the journey of the great road, the world is for the common good. "Book of Rites"

Translation: As long as you are upright and aboveboard, there will be fairness everywhere.

68. Be knowledgeable, interrogate; think carefully, discern clearly, and practice diligently. "The Doctrine of the Mean"

Translation Learn knowledge extensively, inquire about knowledge carefully, think about knowledge carefully, distinguish knowledge clearly, and use knowledge wholeheartedly.

69. Reciprocity. It is impolite to go but not come; it is impolite to come but not go.

"Book of Rites"

Translation: It is impolite to accept gifts from others without thinking about anything in return. Li, originally meant etiquette and politeness. Nowadays people usually refer to gifts.

70. When the water is extremely clear, there are no fish; when people observe it carefully, there are no disciples. "The Book of Rites of the Great"

This sentence in the translation warns people not to be too harsh in their accusations and not to be too harsh in looking at problems, otherwise it will easily make people unwilling to deal with them out of fear, just like water that is too clear to nourish. Just like a fish.

71. When Heaven assigns a great responsibility to this person, he must first strain his mind, strain his muscles and bones, starve his skin, deplete his body, and mess up his actions. "Mencius"

Translation God is going to issue a major mission to such a person. He must first make his heart suffer, his muscles and bones are tired, his body is hungry and thin, he suffers from poverty, and all kinds of actions are used to hinder and interfere with it. his career. If a person wants to survive, make a difference, and be promising, he must dare to face internal and external troubles head-on, he must go through a lot of hardships, and he must go through a life of physical and mental tempering.

72. Born in sorrow and died in happiness. "Mencius"

Translation: Worry can make people seek survival, but happiness will definitely lead to destruction.

73. When I am old, I am the same as the old; when I am the young, I am the same as the young. "Mencius"

Translation: Respect your own parents and elders, and also respect the parents and elders of others; cherish your own young children, and also cherish the young children of others.

74. If you don’t follow the rules, you can’t make a circle. "Mencius"

Without a compass and a ruler, the translation cannot make a true "round" or "square" shape. It is a metaphor for following certain rules when doing things.

75. The right person will get many help, but the wrong person will get little help. "Mencius"

Translation A monarch who can implement "benevolent government" will have more people who will help and support him. A monarch who does not practice "benevolent governance" will have fewer people to support and help him.

76. Wealth and honor cannot lead to adultery, poverty and lowliness cannot change, and power cannot yield. This is called a true man.

"Mencius"

Translation Wealth and honor cannot confuse his mind, poverty and lowliness cannot change his conduct, and power cannot subdue his will. This is called a real man.

77. With perseverance, gold and stone can be carved. "Xunzi"

The translation is constantly carved, and gold nuggets and stones can be carved. It is a metaphor that as long as you persist in doing things, no matter how many difficulties you have, you can overcome them.

78. Green comes from blue, and green comes from blue. "Xunzi"

The translation is Qing, which is obtained from blue grass, but the color is darker than blue. It is a metaphor for the younger generation to learn more than their predecessors through learning and accumulation.

79. Ten horses and horses, the merit lies in never giving up. "Xunzi"

Translation: A horse can walk for ten days without stopping (it can also walk a long distance). His success lies in keeping walking. It is a metaphor for people with poor congenital conditions, as long as they have good communication skills

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79. Ten horses and ten horses, the merit is not given up. "Xunzi"

Translation: A horse can walk for ten days without stopping (it can also walk a long distance). His success lies in keeping walking. It is a metaphor that even those with poor congenital conditions can achieve great achievements through unremitting efforts.

80. Water carries the boat, water overturns it. "Xunzi"

Translation Water can both carry a ship forward and capsize it. This sentence profoundly points out that everything has a dual nature. Good things will lead to bad results if they are not properly guided, and bad things can lead to good results if they are properly directed.

81. The Skynet is vast, sparse but not missing. "Laozi"

Translation The law of heaven is fair, and those who do evil will be punished. It may seem very careless, but in the end a bad person will not be let go. It is a metaphor that evildoers cannot escape the punishment of national law.

82. Words of faith are not beautiful, and beautiful words are not believed in "Laozi"

Words that are true and trustworthy in the translation are not beautiful, and beautiful words are not true and trustworthy.

83. My life has a limit, but my knowledge has no limit. "Zhuangzi"

Translation My life is limited, but knowledge is infinite.

84. The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water, while the friendship between villains is as sweet as wine. "Zhuangzi"

Translation Gentlemen pay attention to like-minded friends and do not seek personal gain. Their friendship seems as weak as water. Villains put profit first, and their friendships are often intimate. Their friendships are as sweet as wine, but they are not moral.

85. Know your enemy and yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without danger. "The Art of War"

Translation If you know yourself and your enemy, you will never fail in a hundred battles. That is, if you can understand the situation of both the enemy and ourselves, you can be invincible in a war.

86. Those who do will always succeed, and those who do will always arrive. "Yan Zi Chun Qiu"

Translation People who work hard can often succeed, and people who move forward tirelessly can often achieve their goals.

87. Doubtful actions will lead to no success, and doubtful actions will lead to no success. "The Book of Shang Jun"

Translation: Hesitation in action will not lead to success, and hesitation in action will not lead to success.

88. A ruler is short and an inch is long. "Chu Ci"

The translation is short: insufficient, long: more than enough. Each metaphor has its strengths and weaknesses, and each has its merits.

89. A wise man will lose something after a thousand worries; a fool will gain something after a thousand worries. "Historical Records"

No matter how smart a person is in translating, he will definitely make some mistakes in many times of consideration. Ordinary people will be right once in many considerations.

90. A slight difference is a thousand miles away. "Book of Rites"

Although the translation may differ slightly at first, it will eventually lead to big errors. It means that you must be cautious in doing things and not make any mistakes.

91. When you are poor, you are strong; when you are old, you are strong. "Book of the Later Han Dynasty"

The poorer the translation situation, the firmer the will should be. The older the elderly are, the stronger their spirit should be.

92. Wherever sincerity comes, gold and stone will open. "Book of the Later Han Dynasty"

Translation Wherever a sincere heart goes, even things as solid as gold and stone will be opened.

93. If young people don’t work hard, old people will be sad. "Han Yuefu"

Translation If you don't study hard when you are young, you will only be sad when you are old. Encourage people to cherish their time and make a difference.

94. Merits should not be achieved in vain, and fame should not be forged.

95. Do not do evil because it is small, and do not do good because it is small. "Three Kingdoms"

Translation Don't do even small bad things; but do even small good things.

96. After three days of separation, treat each other with admiration. "Three Kingdoms"

The translation means that others have made progress and can no longer look at them with the same old eyes.

97. Work hard and die. "Three Kingdoms"

The translation means to work tirelessly, diligently, cautiously, do your best, and devote all your spirit and strength until your death.

98. The old man is always ambitious, but the martyr is ambitious in his old age. "Three Kingdoms"

Translation A person with ambition is still ambitious even though he is old. When a hero reaches old age, his ambition does not diminish.

99. Those who are close to vermilion are red, and those who are close to ink are black. "Prince Shaofu's Proverbs"

The translation turns red by relying on cinnabar, and turns black by relying on ink. It is a metaphor that getting close to good people can make people become good, and getting close to bad people can make people bad. It means that the objective environment has a great influence on people.

100. A leopard can be seen in a tube. "Book of Jin"

Translation: Looking at a leopard through a small hole in a bamboo tube, one can only see a stripe on the leopard's body. It is a metaphor for seeing only part of something, which means that what you see is incomplete or only a little bit gained.