To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

Meaning of the quote

If someone does something wrong to you, it doesn't matter much unless you keep thinking about it and get upset over and over again. The best thing is to let it go and move on, instead of holding onto the wrong that was done to you.

About Confucius

Confucius was a highly influential Chinese philosopher who lived in the Spring and Autumn period. He advocated for personal and governmental morality, harmonious social relationships, and a ruler’s responsibilities. His teachings, known as Confucianism, have had a lasting impact on Chinese culture and society.

More about the author

More quotes from Confucius

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

You cannot open a book without learning something.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

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.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, see to the (be?) worthy of being known.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Heaven means to be one with God.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

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

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

If we don’t know life, how can we know death?

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The object of the superior man is truth.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Study the past, if you would divine the future.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

I will not be concerned at other men’s not knowing me;I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

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

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The cautious seldom err.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)

The book salesman should be honored because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher and politician (551-479 BCE)