The teachings of Confucius on personal conduct, scholarship, and governance form the essence of Chinese culture. Over millennia, Confucian cultural genes have been deeply integrated into Chinese civilization, shaping the thoughts, emotions, and lifestyles of the Chinese people.

Confucian principles emphasize: following the Way of nature, harmony between humanity and heaven, public-mindedness and the ideal of a “Great Unity” (Datong), self-improvement, virtue, people-centered governance, peaceful and prosperous society, moral governance, practical reforms, adaptation to the times, seeking truth from facts, applying knowledge to real life, uniting thought and action, collective wisdom, loving others, cultivating virtue, honesty, trust and harmony, integrity in office, diligence, frugality, moderation, seeking common ground while respecting differences, harmonious coexistence, and preparedness in times of peace. These values are to be inherited and promoted.

I. Diligent Learning and Seeking Knowledge

“Learn and review in time, isn’t it a pleasure? Have friends come from afar, isn’t it a joy? Not being understood and not resentful, isn’t it the mark of a gentleman?” (Xue Er)

“Among three people walking, there must be one who can teach me. Learn the good, correct the bad.” (Shu Er 22)

Confucius on life stages: “At fifteen, I set my mind on learning; at thirty, I stood firm; at forty, I was free of doubts; at fifty, I knew Heaven’s mandate; at sixty, my ear was obedient; at seventy, I followed my heart without overstepping rules.” (Wei Zheng 4)

“Be quick and eager to learn, and do not be ashamed to ask those below you in status.” (Gong Ye Chang 15)

“Listen widely, select the good and follow it; see much, remember it.” (Shu Er 28)

“Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.” (Wei Zheng 15)

“Reviewing the old to learn the new qualifies one to be a teacher.” (Wei Zheng 11)

“To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.” (Wei Zheng 17)

“Absorbed in study, I forget to eat; delighted in joy, I forget my worries; unaware of aging.” (Shu Er 20)

“Learn silently, study tirelessly, teach without weariness.” (Shu Er 2)

II. Moral Cultivation

“Aim at the Way, base yourself on virtue, rely on benevolence, and refine yourself through the Six Arts.” (Shu Er 6)

“Excess of substance over refinement makes one crude; excess of refinement over substance makes one frivolous. Balance creates a gentleman.” (Yong Ye 18)

“An army can lose its commander, but a person cannot lose his resolve.” (Zi Han 26)

“A person without trustworthiness cannot stand in society.” (Wei Zheng 22)

“The wise are free of doubt, the benevolent free of worry, the courageous free of fear.” (Zi Han 29)

“The wise delight in water; the benevolent delight in mountains. The wise are active, the benevolent calm. The wise enjoy happiness, the benevolent longevity.” (Yong Ye 23)

“Gentlemen understand righteousness; small men understand profit.” (Li Ren 16)

“Sweet words corrupt virtue; lack of patience in small matters disrupts major plans.” (Wei Ling Gong 27)

III. Poetry and Music

“The 300 poems can be summed up as: pure thoughts without evil.” (Wei Zheng 2)

“Study the Book of Odes: it inspires, observes, unites, and expresses grievances. Near to serve parents, far to serve rulers; know birds, animals, plants.” (Yang Huo 9)

“Guan Ju: joyful but not unrestrained, sorrowful but not depressed.” (Ba Yi 20)

“Flourish with poetry, establish with ritual, complete with music.” (Tai Bo 8)

IV. Respect and Humility

“Be joyful in poverty, courteous in wealth.” (Xue Er 15)

“Do not act against propriety: do not look, listen, speak, or move improperly.” (Yan Yuan 12)

“Think thrice before acting.” (Gong Ye Chang 20)

“Great virtue should not exceed bounds; small virtue can have slight deviations.” (Zi Zhang 19)

“Gentlemen give benefits without waste, labor without complaint, desire without greed, calm without arrogance, authority without harshness.” (Yao Yue 2)

V. Integrity and Friendship

“A gentleman helps others succeed, not fail; a small man does the opposite.” (Yan Yuan 16)

“Gentlemen are openhearted; small men are anxious.” (Shu Er 37)

“Advise friends sincerely; if ignored, do not insult yourself.” (Yan Yuan 23)

“Do not fear being misunderstood; fear not understanding others.” (Xue Er 16)

“Observe both words and actions before judging others.” (Gong Ye Chang 10)

“A gentleman neither promotes someone for a few words nor dismisses them for faults.” (Wei Ling Gong 23)

“Those of different principles do not plan together.” (Wei Ling Gong 40)

“A person of integrity may sacrifice life to uphold humanity.” (Wei Ling Gong 9)

“Be strict with oneself, lenient with others; resentment will be far away.” (Wei Ling Gong 15)

“Through literature, cultivate friends; through friends, cultivate virtue.” (Yan Yuan 24)

VI. Benevolence and Morality

“Those of integrity do not harm humanity for personal safety; they may die for righteousness.” (Wei Ling Gong 9)

“The benevolent are free of worry; the wise, free of doubt; the brave, free of fear.” (Xian Wen 28)

“Virtue is not solitary; it will have neighbors.” (Li Ren 25)

“Do not impose on others what you do not desire yourself. No resentment at home or in state.” (Yan Yuan 22)

“Behave properly at home and abroad; treat people faithfully; never abandon principles.” (Zi Lu 19)

“Not acting on what is right is cowardice.” (Wei Zheng 24)

“Carry heavy responsibilities, pursue humanity, endure until death.” (Tai Bo 8)

“Aim at the Way, base on virtue, rely on benevolence, cultivate through arts.” (Shu Er 6)

“Carefully honor the dead; cultivate moral character in the living.” (Xue Er 9)

“The elderly should be comfortable, friends trustworthy, the young cared for.” (Gong Ye Chang 26)

VII. Family Harmony

“Observe the father’s ambition while alive, and actions after death. Three years unchanged, that is filial.” (Xue Er 11)

“Filial duty is more than providing food; respect is essential.” (Wei Zheng 7)

“Advise parents politely; if ignored, remain respectful, work without complaint.” (Li Ren 18)

“Ensure care for the elderly, trust among friends, concern for youth.” (Gong Ye Chang 26)

“Know the age of your parents; rejoice in longevity, worry at decline.” (Li Ren 21)

“Serve the country when away, parents at home; do not let indulgence or laziness hinder duties.” (Zi Han)

VIII. Righteousness over Profit

“Riches and honors are desired, but not by improper means.” (Li Ren 5)

“Keep faith, pursue learning, avoid dangerous or chaotic states; display talent in times of order, hide in times of disorder. Wealth in disorder is shameful; poverty in order is shameful.” (Tai Bo 13)

“Unjust riches are like floating clouds.” (Shu Er 16)

“If wealth can be gained rightly, do it; if not, follow your own joy.” (Shu Er 12)

“Do not seek speed or small gains; haste prevents success, greed spoils great work.” (Zi Lu 17)

“How noble is Yan Hui! Living in poverty, yet maintaining joy.” (Yong Ye 11)

“Consider righteousness in profit, risk life in danger.” (Xian Wen 12)

IX. Philosophy and Sentiment

“Without understanding fate, propriety, or words, one cannot be a gentleman or understand others.” (Yao Yue 3)

“Do not blame heaven or men; repay wrong with justice, repay kindness with kindness.” (Xian Wen 35)

“The past cannot be changed; the future can still be pursued.” (Wei Zi 5)

“Without foresight, immediate worry is inevitable.” (Wei Ling Gong 12)

“Integrity, observation, and humility lead to success at home and abroad.” (Yan Yuan 20)

“Gentle, stern, dignified yet benign.” (Shu Er 7)

“Sharpen tools before doing work; follow wise officials and humane scholars.” (Wei Ling Gong 10)

“Excess and deficiency are equally harmful.” (Xian Jin 16)

“Life and death by fate, riches and honors by heaven; treat people respectfully, and all are brothers.” (Yan Yuan 5)

“Birds cry sadly at death; humans speak kindly.” (Tai Bo 8)

X. Governance

“If the ruler is upright, the people will follow without orders; if not, they will not follow even with orders.” (Zi Lu 6)

“Cultivate yourself to respect and comfort others; raise moral standards to benefit the people.” (Xian Wen 14)

“Rectify names first; improper names make law, rites, and penalties ineffective.” (Zi Lu 13)

“Abundant food, sufficient troops, and trust of the people are essential. Without trust, a state cannot exist.” (Yan Yuan 12)

“Promote the upright, remove the crooked; the people obey.” (Wei Zheng 19)

“Do not dwell on past deeds, finished matters, or past misdeeds.” (Ba Yi 3)

“Lead by example; labor diligently without weariness.” (Zi Lu 1)

“All blame falls on the ruler; the people’s faults rest on the sovereign.” (Yao Yue 1)

“Do not concern yourself with matters outside your position.” (Xian Wen 26)

“Excel in office, then study; excel in study, then serve in office.” (Zi Zhang 9)

Postscript:
Confucius (551–479 BCE), born in Qufu, Shandong over 2,500 years ago, was the first teacher of China, revered by the people as the Sage Confucius. His teachings form the living source of Chinese traditional culture, predating Jesus Christ by over 500 years. Over centuries, Confucius’s words have become part of daily life: courage for justice, heavy responsibilities, harmony, haste leads to failure, think thrice before acting, do not dwell on past wrongs, forgive the past, etc.