“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”

—  Confucius

The quote "Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without." is famous quote attributed to Confucius (-551–-479 BC), Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher.

Attributed in Mohammed Sirajul Islam (1967), Everyman's General Knowledge
In fact this is a Chinese saying by a Confucian scholar from the Ming Dynasty, 焦竑 (Jiao Hong) (1540—1620)《玉堂丛语》卷五: 宁为有瑕玉,不作无瑕石。
Misattributed, Chinese

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update April 18, 2023. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Confucius photo
Confucius 269
Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher -551–-479 BC

Related quotes

Robert G. Ingersoll photo

“Great virtues may draw attention from defects, they cannot sanctify them. A pebble surrounded by diamonds remains a common stone, and a diamond surrounded by pebbles is still a gem.”

Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–1899) Union United States Army officer

The Great Infidels (1881)
Context: Great virtues may draw attention from defects, they cannot sanctify them. A pebble surrounded by diamonds remains a common stone, and a diamond surrounded by pebbles is still a gem. No one should attempt to refute an argument by pronouncing the name of some man, unless he is willing to adopt all the ideas and beliefs of that man. It is better to give reasons and facts than names. An argument should not depend for its force upon the name of its author. Facts need no pedigree, logic has no heraldry, and the living should not awed by the mistakes of the dead.

“A fine quotation is a diamond on the finger of a man of wit, and a pebble in the hand of a fool.”

Joseph Roux (1834–1905) French poet

Part 1, LXXIV
Meditations of a Parish Priest (1866)

Chris Evans (actor) photo
F. Scott Fitzgerald photo

“My father has a diamond bigger than the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) American novelist and screenwriter

"The Diamond As Big As The Ritz"
Quoted, Tales of the Jazz Age (1922)
Context: "The Schnlitzer-Murphys had diamonds as big as walnuts — "
"That's nothing." Percy had leaned forward and dropped his voice to a low whisper. "That's nothing at all. My father has a diamond bigger than the Ritz-Carlton Hotel."

Emma Goldman photo

“I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.”

Emma Goldman (1868–1940) anarchist known for her political activism, writing, and speeches
Peter Marshall photo
Tom Petty photo

“I want her more than diamonds,
I want her more than gold.
I want her more than anything
Anyone could hold.”

Tom Petty (1950–2017) American musician

Built to Last, written with Jeff Lynne
Lyrics, Into The Great Wide Open (1991)

Related topics