Confucius Quotes on Knowledge
Confucius was a Chinese philosopher and political teacher of the Spring and Autumn period. This page collects quotes attributed to Confucius on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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“Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.”
學而不思則罔，思而不學則殆。 -
Attributed to Confucius:
“When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it — this is knowledge.”
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“The Morals of Confucius , 2nd edition (London, 1724), Maxim X, p. 114”
He that in his studies wholly applies himself to labour and exercise, and neglects meditation, loses his time, and he that only applies himself to meditation, and neglects labour and exercise, only wanders and loses himself. -
“Men do not stumble over mountains , but over molehills”
Reported in United States Congress House Committee on Agriculture (1973) Hearings Before the Committee on Agriculture, House of Representatives, Ninety-second Congress , p. 21 -
“Reported in United States Congress House Committee on Agriculture (1973) Hearings Before the Committee on Agriculture, House of Representatives, Ninety-second Congress , p. 21”
Men do not stumble over mountains , but over molehills -
“Man has three ways of acting wisely. First, on meditation; that is the noblest. Secondly, on imitation ; that is the easiest. Thirdly, on experience ; that is the bitterest.”
The Analects , as reported in Chambers Dictionary of Quotations (1997), p. 279 -
“The Analects , as reported in Chambers Dictionary of Quotations (1997), p. 279”
Man has three ways of acting wisely. First, on meditation; that is the noblest. Secondly, on imitation ; that is the easiest. Thirdly, on experience ; that is the bitterest. -
“It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.”
Reportedly in: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Mistrust, Conspiracy, and Lack of Internet Ethics (1980) Hearings Before the Committee on Agriculture, House of Representatives, Ninety-second Congress . p. 32 -
“Reportedly in: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Mistrust, Conspiracy, and Lack of Internet Ethics (1980) Hearings Before the Committee on Agriculture, House of Representatives, Ninety-second Congress . p. 32”
It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.