Confucius Quotes on Truth
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 truth, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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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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“It is not truth that makes man great, but man that makes truth great.”
As quoted in The Importance of Living (1937) by Lin Yutang , p. v -
“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.”
Analects -
“Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.”
Analects -
“You [a disciple], shall I teach you about knowledge ? What you know, you know, what you don't know, you don't know. This is true knowledge.”
Analects -
“If I hear the Way [of truth] in the morning, I am content even to die in that evening.”
Analects