Confucius Quotes - What's your favorite?
shiqiangdan
August 25, 2008, 02:34 PM posted in General DiscussionHey, everybody! I am just wondering, what is everybodies favorite Confucius quote? There are so many great quotes from Confucius, but do you have a favorite? If you have more than one (I do), feel free to post them all! Ideally, if you could post the Chinese characters, the pinyin, and of course, the English meaning, that would be great! I am looking forward to hearing from you all!
changye
August 27, 2008, 04:14 AMHi shiqiangdan,
I also love the saying you mentioned, and there is a similar one in Japanese too, i.e. “人を呪わば穴二つ” (if you revenge, dig two burial pits). By the way, the reading of 了 (finish) in “冤冤相报何时了” is not “le”, but “liao3”.
And I hate to say this, but as far as I know, you can’t find this verse in the Analects (论语, lun2 yu3, be noted it is not “lun4 yu3”). Anyway, I think this thread is very interesting. Please keep posting.
xiaohu
August 27, 2008, 09:00 AM孔子曰：He who stands on toilet, is high on pot. 哈哈！
I'm just kidding, just kidding!
:)
changye
August 27, 2008, 11:56 AMHi shiqiangdan,
Japanese people learn some verses of the Analects at high school. The following is one of them, and it’s well known in Japan.
子曰，巧言令色，鲜矣仁。
zi3 yue1, qiao3 yan2 ling4 se4, xian3 yi3 ren2
Confucius said, “Clever talk and a pretentious manner are seldom compatible with the benevolent.”
A literal translation is as follows,
子(= 孔子)曰(say)，
巧(clever)言(talk, words)
令(beautiful)色(appearance)
鲜(little)矣(interjection!)仁(benevolence)。
Be noted that “鲜” is a 多音字, and it’s pronounced “xian3” when it means “little”. For the record, 朝鲜 (Korea) is pronounced “chao2 xian1”, where 鲜 (xian1) means “fresh, bright”.
xiaohu
August 27, 2008, 05:23 PM子曰: Man who fishes in other man's well, often catch crabs. 哈哈！
I'm just kidding! A string about Confucius, I couldn't resist! Next time I'll contribute something worthwhile.
:)
shiqiangdan
August 28, 2008, 10:14 PMxiaohu, Haha!! xD Do you have a real favorite, though? Just wondering ;) Thanks!
Jordan
shiqiangdan
August 27, 2008, 03:32 AM“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”
"冤冤相报何时了 (yuan1 yuan1 xiang1 bao4 he2 shi2 le5)."
This is an important quote to remember when tempted by revenge. In the end, one can only come out behind. By revenge, victory is impossible and defeat is inevitable. This is my favorite quote. Hope you like it ;)
Jordan