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
Have no friends not equal to yourself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Surround yourself with friends who are on the same level as you, both morally and intellectually.
This quote by Confucius emphasizes the importance of choosing friends wisely. It suggests that one's friendships should reflect one's own values, skills, and aspirations, encouraging relationships that promote mutual growth and understanding rather than fostering situations that could lead to inequality or conflict.
Themes
FriendshipEqualityWisdomValuesRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech on building healthy relationships, you could use this quote to emphasize the importance of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals.
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 one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. When all other friends desert, he remains.
George Graham VestRead
I shot an arrow into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For, so swiftly it flew, the sight Could not follow it in its flight. I breathed a song into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For who has sight so keen and strong, That it can follow the flight of song? Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke; And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
What friends or kindred can be so close and intimate as the powers of our soul, which, whether we will or no, must ever bear us company?
Teresa Of AvilaRead
Friendship is not something you can learn in college or some learning institution, no one knows how to become friends you just become but if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship you haven't learned anything
Muhammad AliRead
I have loved my friends as I do virtue, my soul, my God.
Thomas BrowneRead
Among true and real friends, all is common; and were ignorance and envy and superstition banished from the world, all mankind would be friend.
Percy Bysshe ShelleyRead