If you see what is right and fail to act on it, you lack courage. — Confucius · Smartyfair

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If you see what is right and fail to act on it, you lack courage. — Confucius · Smartyfair

If you see what is right and fail to act on it, you lack courage.

Confucius551–479 BC · philosopher · Ancient ChinaConfucius was a teacher and philosopher who lived in ancient China more than 2,500 years ago. He taught that kindness, respect, and lifelong learning build a good life and a fair society.8 quotes

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In plain words

Knowing the right thing is not enough. Doing it is the brave part.

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Where these words come from

How sure this is: 83% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up: The Analects, Book II (Legge translation).
Sources checked: en.wikiquote.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 20 August 2026Sourced to Analects Book II, Legge translation

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More from Confucius

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

More on courage

You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.

Marcus Aurelius

Courage

Ancient

Study the past if you would define the future.

Confucius

By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection; second, by imitation; third, by experience.

Only after Winter comes do we know that the pine and the cypress are the last to fade.

Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.

Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?

You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.

Rabindranath Tagore

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.

For sometimes it is an act of bravery even to live.

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

Marcus Aurelius

The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.