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
Things that are done, it is needless to speak about...things that are past, it is needless to blame.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present and not dwelling on the past.
Confucius suggests that discussing completed actions or blaming past events is futile. Instead of wasting time on what has already been done, we should concentrate on the present and future, which encourages a mindset focused on progress and acceptance rather than regret.
In practice
In a team meeting, to encourage focusing on current projects rather than previous mistakes.
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.
Earnest 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.
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.
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
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.
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent meaning of one's actions.
Our allegiance is to the principles always, and not to the persons. Persons are but the embodiments, the illustrations of the principles. If the principles are there, the persons will come by the thousands and millions. If the principle is safe, persons like Buddha will be born by the hundreds and thousands. But if the principle is lost and forgotten and the whole of national life tries to cling round a so-called historical person, woe unto that religion, danger unto that religion!
I don't wish to be the symbol of anything. I'm only myself.
Words can bring you only up to their own limit; to go beyond, you must abandon them. Remain as the silent witness only.
If it weren't for the message of mercy and pity in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, I wouldn't want to be a human being. I would just as soon be a rattlesnake.
Demands that you believe the impossible do not lead to peaceful outcomes.
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