Confucius, who lived between 551 and 479 BC, is widely considered to be the greatest and most influential eastern philosopher of all time. He founded Confucianism, which is a system of philosophical and socio-political teachings that is sometimes also referred to as a religion. His teachings were primarily concerned with personal and governmental morality.

Here are some invaluable nuggets of wisdom from one of the greatest teachers in human history:

1) “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

2) “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”

3) “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

4) “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

5) “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”

6) “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

7) “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

8) “We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.”

9) “To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.”

10) “It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.”

11) “When anger rises, think of the consequences.”

12) “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.”

13) “A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.”

14) “Silence is a true friend who never betrays.”

15) “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”

16) “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”

17) “The more man meditates upon good thoughts; the better will be his world and the world at large.”