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Ancient Chinese Quotes About Wisdom

The point is not to collect decorative quotations, but to recover ideas in their original works and apply them with context.

Do not rush Know what matters first Stand by your principles

Original lines

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7 curated lines

✓ Verified sourceBilingual

富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移，威武不能屈。

Fù guì bù néng yín, pín jiàn bù néng yí, wēi wǔ bù néng qū.

Close English reading

Wealth and honor cannot corrupt him, poverty and low status cannot move him, and force cannot make him bend.

Plain meaningHold your principles through temptation, hardship, and pressure.

SourceMencius · Warring States period · Mencius: Teng Wen Gong II
Mencius

Why it fitsIt defines integrity by the pressures it can withstand.

Original context and translation note

富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移，威武不能屈。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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欲速则不达，见小利则大事不成。

Yù sù zé bù dá, jiàn xiǎo lì zé dà shì bù chéng.

Close English reading

If you desire speed, you will not arrive; if you chase small gains, great work will not be completed.

Plain meaningDo not let impatience or short-term rewards ruin the larger goal.

SourceConfucius · Pre-Qin China · Analects 13: Zi Lu
The Analects

Why it fitsIt links haste and short-term thinking to failure at work that matters.

Original context and translation note

无欲速，无见小利。欲速则不达，见小利则大事不成。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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物有本末，事有终始。知所先后，则近道矣。

Wù yǒu běn mò, shì yǒu zhōng shǐ. Zhī suǒ xiān hòu, zé jìn dào yǐ.

Close English reading

Things have roots and branches; affairs have endings and beginnings. To know what comes first and what follows is to approach the Way.

Plain meaningKnow what matters first, and do not confuse the root with the branches.

SourceTraditionally associated with Zengzi · Pre-Qin China · The Great Learning
Book of Rites: The Great Learning

Why it fitsIt frames good judgment as the ability to distinguish foundations, details, and proper sequence.

Original context and translation note

物有本末，事有终始。知所先后，则近道矣。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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凡事豫则立，不豫则废。

Fán shì yù zé lì, bù yù zé fèi.

Close English reading

In all things, preparation leads to success; lack of preparation leads to failure.

Plain meaningPrepare before you begin if you want the work to stand.

SourceTraditionally attributed to Zisi · Warring States period · Doctrine of the Mean
Book of Rites: Doctrine of the Mean

Why it fitsIt states the practical value of preparation in the fewest possible words.

Original context and translation note

凡事豫则立，不豫则废；言前定则不跲，事前定则不困。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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三人行，必有我师焉。择其善者而从之，其不善者而改之。

Sān rén xíng, bì yǒu wǒ shī yān. Zé qí shàn zhě ér cóng zhī, qí bù shàn zhě ér gǎi zhī.

Close English reading

When three people walk together, one of them must be my teacher. I follow what is good in them and correct in myself what is not good.

Plain meaningEveryone can teach you something—through an example to follow or a mistake to avoid.

SourceConfucius · Pre-Qin China · Analects 7: Shu Er
The Analects

Why it fitsIt turns ordinary encounters into a disciplined practice of learning and self-correction.

Original context and translation note

三人行，必有我师焉。择其善者而从之，其不善者而改之。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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博学之，审问之，慎思之，明辨之，笃行之。

Bó xué zhī, shěn wèn zhī, shèn sī zhī, míng biàn zhī, dǔ xíng zhī.

Close English reading

Study broadly, question carefully, think cautiously, distinguish clearly, and practice earnestly.

Plain meaningLearn widely, ask well, think clearly, judge carefully, and then act.

SourceTraditionally attributed to Zisi · Warring States period · Doctrine of the Mean
Book of Rites: Doctrine of the Mean

Why it fitsIt presents learning as a full cycle rather than passive information gathering.

Original context and translation note

博学之，审问之，慎思之，明辨之，笃行之。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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君子和而不同，小人同而不和。

Jūn zǐ hé ér bù tóng, xiǎo rén tóng ér bù hé.

Close English reading

The noble person is harmonious without being identical; the petty person is identical without true harmony.

Plain meaningReal harmony allows disagreement; shallow agreement can hide deeper conflict.

SourceConfucius · Pre-Qin China · Analects 13: Zi Lu
The Analects

Why it fitsIt distinguishes respectful difference from mere conformity.

Original context and translation note

君子和而不同，小人同而不和。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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Translation note: These English readings are original explanations prepared for Gu Ren Said. The Chinese original and source are the authoritative objects being verified; literary translations can reasonably differ.

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