5 most inspiring life lessons by Chinese philosopher Confucius

Confucius, through his teachings, emphasised the importance of character, righteousness, social justice, humility, and honesty (Image: Canva)

• Confucius' teachings stress perseverance, resilience, and humility.
• He emphasizes patience, learning from failure, and full commitment.
• Actions matter more than words, according to Confucius' philosophy.

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Born as Kong Fuzi in Qufu, Shandong Province, Confucius was China’s most popular philosopher, educator, and a politician who inspired millions across the globe, especially those in the civilisations of China and other East Asian countries. Given the unstable political climate of his times, he emphasised through his teachings the importance of character, righteousness, social justice, humility, and honesty. He also stressed the importance of disciplining oneself to become better, more empathetic, and more humane.

Inspiring quotes by Confucius

His inspiring quotes about life continue to influence lives. Here are five of them you shouldn’t miss…

Also read | Top 10 Inspirational Chinese Proverbs from Confucius

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop”

Most of us desire instant results and get easily disheartened when that doesn’t happen. It stalls our progress. But Confucius says even if things don’t add up as fast as they should, we should keep at it. After all, consistency and perseverance pay in the long-run. Thus, it is important to be patient and keep working towards the goal no matter how long it takes.

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”

According to Confucius, failures are a part of life and help us become more resilient. They give us a chance to learn from our mistakes, grow, and succeed. For those who have never fallen will never know the strength it needs to rise back and begin anew.

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones”

Yet again, the Chinese philosopher emphasises that big feats are not achieved overnight. They are a consequence of humble beginnings and small steps. He focuses on patience and perseverance that are needed to accomplish anything big in life. Small steps do not make the task look daunting and benefit in the long run.

“Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart”

This quote reminds us to be fully committed to what we do in our lives. It emphasises the importance of being fully present in the moment, putting your best efforts to accomplish goals, and being better versions of yourselves.

“The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions”

Similar to ‘actions speak louder than words’, Confucius stresses that a true leader is someone whose words are plain, but his actions reflect his character and commitment. This implies what we do is more important than what we say.