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.
ConfuciusRead
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Beauty exists in all things, but perception varies among individuals.
This quote by Confucius suggests that beauty is an inherent quality of existence, present in all aspects of life and nature. However, the ability to recognize and appreciate this beauty is subjective and not everyone possesses this awareness or perspective, emphasizing the importance of perception in our experience of the world.
Themes
BeautyPerceptionLifeSubjectivityAppreciation
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on art, this quote can underscore the subjectivity of artistic appreciation.
More from Confucius
All quotes βEarnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.
ConfuciusRead
When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
ConfuciusRead
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
ConfuciusRead
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.
ConfuciusRead
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
ConfuciusRead
Similar quotes
The lie is so vile, that even if it were in speaking well of godly things, it would take off something from God's grace; and Truth is so excellent, that if it praises but small things they become noble.
Leonardo Da VinciRead
Human existence cannot be silent, nor can it be nourished by false words, but only by true words, with which people transform the world. To exist, humanly, is to name the world, to change it. Once named, the world in its turn reappears to the namers as a problem and requires of them a new naming. People are not built in silence, but in word, in work, in action-reflection.
Paulo FreireRead
People forget that when you're 16, you're probably more serious than you'll ever be again. You think seriously about the big questions.
John HughesRead
As the end approaches, there are no longer any images from memory - there are only words.
Jorge Luis BorgesRead
Yoga philosophy teaches that real man is not his body, but that the immortal I, of which each human being is conscious to some degree according to his mental evolution, is not the body but merely occupies and uses the body as an instrument.
Vishnudevananda SaraswatiRead
Men would live exceedingly quiet if these two words, mine and thine, were taken away.
AnaxagorasRead