Philosophical Sayings

422 sayings found from the Ancient era

If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening hear regret.

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE
Philosophical

The superior man, in the world, does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what is right he will follow.

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE
Philosophical

The superior man thinks of virtue; the small man thinks of comfort. The superior man thinks of the sanctions of law; the small man thinks of favors which he may receive.

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE
Philosophical

When the self is cultivated, the family will be in harmony. When the family is in harmony, the state will be well-governed. When the state is well-governed, the world will know peace.

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE (The Great Learning compiled later, but reflects his thought)
Philosophical

The gentleman is at ease without being proud; the small man is proud without being at ease.

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE
Philosophical

To govern is to rectify. If you lead the people by being rectified yourself, who will dare not be rectified?

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE
Philosophical

If a man does not say to himself, 'What shall I think of this? What shall I think of this?' I can make nothing of him.

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE
Philosophical

The gentleman makes demands on himself, the small man makes demands on others.

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE
Philosophical

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Then no friends will be unlike yourself.

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE
Philosophical

To go too far is as bad as to fall short.

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE
Philosophical

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE (Attribution to Confucius is less certain than to Laozi)
Philosophical

If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success.

— Confucius c. 551-479 BCE
Philosophical

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

— Saint Paul c. 55-57 AD
Philosophical

Not all of those who descend from Israel are Israel.

— Saint Paul c. 55-57 AD
Philosophical

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

— Saint Paul c. 55-57 AD
Philosophical

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

— Saint Paul c. 48-55 AD
Philosophical

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

— Saint Paul c. 53-54 AD
Philosophical

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

— Saint Paul c. 55-57 AD
Philosophical

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything.

— Saint Paul c. 53-54 AD
Philosophical

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

— Saint Paul c. 63-65 AD
Philosophical