10 Nuggets of Wisdom From Confucius


Life is an obstacle course littered with challenging experiences and events. As much as they may be loathed, on reflection it is these experiences that shift us to a completely different level. Our personal development is taken to the next plain as we build strength, courage, determination, reflection, qualities to be embraced.

The story of the tortoise and the hare is a classic tale to demonstrate this example. The hare and the tortoise start a race, the odds are the hare will win, secure in this knowledge, the hare decides to take a nap half way through the course. He sleeps for several hours in which time the tortoise overtakes and wins the race. It is not the pace that matters in reaching our destination but the fact that we persevered and reached the finished line.

Never establish a friendship with someone who is not more virtuous than you

Who you keep company with can either hinder or propel you to success. Keeping company with individuals who support and encourage you are likely to keep you motivated even during those difficult times.

When you become angry think about the consequences

Being mindful of your thoughts, actions and intentions is important. When you are angry emotions are charged, hurtful words are spoken or inconsiderate actions undertaken, just take a second to reflect on what is being said or done as the consequences can have damaging and lasting effects.

If it’s clear you can’t achieve your goals, don’t change your goals, change your action

Constantly doing the same thing over and over again and achieving the same result is futile, if you are not progressing towards your goal, change your actions.

If you hate you have been defeated

Hate serves no purpose and is in fact toxic to your health. If you give in to anger you lose lose emotionally.

Noble People make demands of themselves, lesser people make demands on others

Individuals on a trajectory to success are willing to do the hard slog, put in the hours and the time.

Whatever you do in life do it with all heart

Exerting half the energy into your goals, will bring you half the results, what you put in is what you get.

Give guidance to those only who have acknowledged their ignorance and seek knowledge

Unless somebody has an open mind to welcome new ideas and knowledge, the wisdom you have to offer will fall on deaf ears. The saying that your mind has to be an empty cup to embrace new knowledge is key. If your mind is full and harbouring old habits and knowledge, welcoming new ideas will be muted.

Extravagance in small things will bring a great cause to ruin

Focusing on the small stuff can ruin the end result if you lose sight of the bigger picture. Focus on what is important and make it happen.

If people spit at your back it means you are ahead

If you are getting ahead in life, you will meet haters who despise your success. Not everyone along your path will be happy for your accomplishments, ignore them.