Confucius (September 28, 551 BC – 479 BC) was one of the most significant philosophers in the Chinese history. His theories had a great impact on the society and much of what he said is still significant today. His philosophies were related to personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice etc.
Listed below are some lessons that we can learn from Confucius:
1. Keep moving
Consistency is a lot harder to achieve in life than we think. According to Confucius, we should keep moving on the right path till the time we reach our destination. We should not give up in life because you will eventually attain your goals/dreams as you keep on persisting. It’s not carved in stone when you will make it, but eventually you will.
2. Keep your company well
Take care of who you surround yourself with. Your companions matter as they will influence many things in and about your life. Make sure that you have the right friends who care for you and you for them. A healthy and positive social circle is extremely crucial for our development as well as happiness.
As Jim Rohn states it: “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
3. Good things take time
Patience is a virtue and we have heard this quite a lot. Good things take time to happen and we should be patient enough to let things happen on their own. Do not succumb to the temptations of negativity. Negative thinking will get you nowhere except to the land of anxiety and stress.
4. “To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.”
Everyone has suffered setbacks and heartbreaks in the past. There is no one who hasn’t been deceived in life. But it is essential to let those experiences impart wisdom to you rather than guide your present life. You cannot keep remembering the evils done to you because that will make you stuck in time.
Move forward with new goals and ambitions.
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5. “When anger rises, think of the consequences.”
We don’t generally think about the consequences that’ll follow our actions. But Confucius highlights the importance of thinking about the consequences especially when one is angry. Anger can make us do terrible things which we will regret later in life. Take a step back whenever you are angry. Think of a measured response.
Remember “The tongue like a sharp knife, kills without drawing blood.”
6. Adjustments are necessary
Life does not follow a linear trajectory. Confucius said that if we can’t seem to attain our goals then we should not change our goals but change our plan of action. Adjustments in life are necessary and we can’t escape it. It’s better to pursue than to give up on our dreams. If you don’t adjust, especially in the world today that is changing every hour, you will surely work to attain failure.
7. Everyone teaches you something
Confucius said, “If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them and bad points of the other and correct them in myself”.
8. All or none
“Wherever you go, go with all your heart” said Confucius in relation to achieving your goals. You have to give it all, or else leave entirely.
9. Sharpen your tools
One cannot achieve anything with inadequate means. Just like a mechanic sharpens his tools before setting to work, similarly we need to sharpen our skills in order to achieve our great goals in life. We have to constantly improve ourselves so that we do not become complacent or arrogant. Don’t try to take a shortcut!
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