"Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself."

Friendship

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Insight & Reflection

This reflection on friendship by Confucius resonates across generations. It highlights a fundamental truth about human nature: our continuous search for meaning in friendship is what ultimately defines our character and our path forward.

About Confucius

Confucius, born Kong Qiu, was a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period who is traditionally considered the paragon of Chinese sages. Much of the shared cultural heritage of the Sinosphere originates in the philosophy and teachings of Confucius. His philosophical teachings, called Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, harmonious social relationships, righteousness, kindness, sincerity, and a ruler's responsibilities to lead by virtue.

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Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the Quotes Archive Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by Confucius

"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps."

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"It is a quiet truth that creativity is seeing what everyone has seen, but thinking what no one else thought — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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"We do not remember the passing of hours, but the resonance of moments. In this truth lies the bedrock of all virtue."

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More about Friendship

"Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation."

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"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country."

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