Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

Yes — that quote is correctly attributed to Confucius, the Chinese philosopher and teacher who lived from 551 to 479 BCE, and whose ideas have had a profound influence on Chinese culture and philosophy.

“Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.”
— Confucius

Context and Background

Confucius often emphasized the importance of personal growth, self-improvement, and adaptability. In this quote, he suggests that change is a necessary part of human life, and that growth and wisdom come from the ability to adapt and evolve in response to new experiences and insights. Wisdom comes from being open-minded and willing to change, while stubbornness or ignorance can lead one to resist change, ultimately preventing growth.

For Confucius, the ability to learn from experience, reflect on one’s actions, and adjust accordingly is central to being a virtuous and wise person. At the same time, those who are too rigid or set in their ways, either out of ignorance or a false sense of superiority, are unable to grow or progress.

Interpretation

• “Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change” — Confucius implies that wisdom comes from the ability to embrace change and adapt to new circumstances. On the other hand, the stupidest men are those who are either too proud or ignorant to acknowledge the need for change, remaining fixed in their ways.

• The quote presents change as an essential component of both wisdom and growth, and a lack of change, whether due to wisdom or stupidity, signals stagnation.

Summary

Confucius’s quote emphasizes the essential role of change in human development. While the wisest individuals continuously evolve, learning and adapting from experiences, the stupidest resist change, either due to ignorance or arrogance. This quote encourages a mindset of growth, humility, and self-reflection, suggesting that only those who are either truly wise or truly ignorant remain unchanged over time.