Everybody knows about Confucius and the influence this great Chinese philosopher, teacher, and politician had on the world.

It's hard to believe that he has been dead since November 21, 479 B.C. That's almost 600 years ago.

Afterward, many agreed that he deserved greater recognition than his generation gave him. And who are we to argue?

His incredible quotes show the amazing insight he had into various subject matters about life.

In fact, his ideas turned out to be the basis for state ideology during the Han Dynasty.

Even today, his influence can still be felt, and although he is much revered in China, his home country, the world can't help but agree that Confucius had much to teach the world.

And with that, here are some of his greatest quotes.

1. "Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."

We have different concepts of what beauty is; as they say, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

But what this quote talks about is about seeing the hidden beauty in things. A beauty most people miss.

Outward appearances can deceive you, and you might not see the beauty that lies within.

2. "Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart."

This is one of his best. It says that you have to stop half-assing it.

When you do something, do it with all you have. Failing when you know you gave it everything beats not trying at all or wishing you had given it a better shot.

3. "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."

Hearing is not enough and seeing is not enough. You have to do in order to really understand some things.

So, don't trust what you hear or see too much, only trying things out gives you the best perspective on things.

4. "If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?"

It's pretty straightforward: focus on making yourself better because once you are, then all is well. You should be worried about what lies within, not what happens around you.

5. "Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself."

Even the scriptures say this: "do unto others as you would have them do to you." This is a simple rule, and it's so profound and yet so recklessly broken by many.

Living by this principle would change your life and your relationships a huge deal.

6. "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance."

You can't know everything, and you never will. Knowing that you always have something new to learn makes you a wise person because you always have the capacity to absorb new knowledge.

7. "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do."

In life, some things will overcome us, but as long as we get up and keep going, we can still win. If you remember the phrase "that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger," then you should have no problem figuring out what this quote is all about.

These amazing and powerful quotes have survived several centuries for a reason: they have a lot to teach to anyone willing to take them seriously. Among these, I am pretty sure there's one or two that inspire you to change your life for the better.