“The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man perfected without trials.”
More from Confucius on Wisdom
“Lord Chi Wen thought three times before taking any action. When the Master heard this, he said: Twice is plenty enough.”
“Recompense injury with justice and recompense kindness with kindness.”
“What you do not want others to do to you do not do to others.”
“Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.”
“To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.”
“If a man take no thought about what is distant he will find sorrow near at hand.”
“A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake.”
“He who will not economize will have to agonize.”
“A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace.”
“Ji Wenzi always thought thrice before acting. Hearing this the Master said, "Twice is enough.”
Others on Wisdom
Sun Tzu
30 quotes“Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.”
Dalai Lama
22 quotes“Compassion is the radicalism of our time.”
Cervantes
20 quotes“A closed mouth catches no flies.”
Aesop
19 quotes“Little by little does the trick.”
Ben Franklin
18 quotes“Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.”
Napoleon
16 quotes“Ability is of little account without opportunity.”
Cicero
15 quotes“Great is the power of habit. It teaches us to bear fatigue and to despise wounds and pain.”
George Washington
14 quotes“Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.”
Khalil Gibran
14 quotes“Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge.”
Rudyard Kipling
14 quotes“I keep six honest serving men. (They taught me all I know) Their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and...”
William Penn
14 quotes“Knowledge is the treasure of a wise man.”
George R.R. Martin
14 quotes“This was how an enemy should be dealt with: with a dagger, not a declaration.”