THE SAYINGS OF
CONFUCIUS

[vii]

Confucius was born in 550 BCE,[1] in the land of Lu, in a small village located in the western part of what is now Shandong province. His name was K'ung Ch'iu, and his style name (similar to our given names) was Chung-ni. His fellow countrymen refer to him as K'ung Fu-tzu, the Master, or philosopher K'ung. This term was transformed into Confucius by the Jesuit missionaries who first brought his legacy to Europe.

Since the heyday of Emperors Yao and Shun, the legendary founders of the Chinese Empire, nearly two thousand years had passed. Shun chose his chief minister, Yü, as his successor—a man so dedicated to his duties that, while he worked to drain the empire of a massive flood—a task that took eight years—he never went home until the job was finished, even though he passed by his house three times during that time. He established the Hsia dynasty, which lasted until 1766 B.C.. The last emperor of this line, a terrible tyrant, was overthrown by T'ang, who became the first ruler of the Shang, or Yin, dynasty. This dynasty eventually fell into decline and ended with Chou, or Chou Hsin [viii](1154-22 B.C.), who was known for his lust, extravagance, and cruelty. The empire was primarily held together by the strength and wisdom of the Duke of Chou, popularly known as King Wen, one of the greatest figures in Chinese history. He controlled two-thirds of the empire but believed that the people weren't ready for a change, so he chose not to depose the emperor. During his reign, 'farmers paid one-tenth of their harvest; government positions were inherited; people were questioned at checkpoints and markets, but there were no tolls; fish traps were not protected; and the children of criminals went free. The old without wives—the widower; the old without husbands—the widow; the old without children—the lone one; and the young without fathers—the orphan; these four are the most vulnerable people below heaven, and they have no one to turn to, so when King Wen ruled, his care extended first to them' (Mencius, Book II, chapter 5). After his death, his son, King Wu, decided the nation was ready for change. He defeated Chou Hsin by military force and ascended to the throne, becoming the founder of the Chou dynasty.

In Confucius' time, the Chou dynasty was still on the throne. However, it had long lost its strength, and all power had shifted to the great vassals. China's situation was similar to Germany during the darkest days of the Holy Roman Empire. The emperor was powerless, the various vassal states were independent in all but name, and they often fought against each other. These states were further [ix]fragmented, and their rulers were weak against invading feudal lords. In Confucius' home state of Lu, the duke was just a figurehead. The younger branches of his family had taken control. There were three of them, known as the Three Clans. The most powerful was the Chi, or Chi-sun clan, whose leaders, Chi Huan and Chi K'ang, are frequently mentioned by Confucius. However, the Chi's authority was also precarious. The minister Yang Huo dominated his master, and at one point even imprisoned him. The situation in the other states of the empire was no better than in Lu; in fact, Confucius believed it was worse.

Into this chaotic world, Confucius was born. Although his father was just a poor military officer, he could trace his lineage back to the imperial family of Yin. Confucius got married at nineteen and is known to have had one son and one daughter. Shortly after he married, he began working for the state as the granary keeper. A year later, he was made responsible for the public fields. In 527 B.C., his mother passed away, and according to Chinese tradition, he had to step back from public life. Once the mourning period ended, he did not return to office but instead focused on studying and teaching. As time went on, his reputation grew, and a group of students gathered around him. In 517 B.C., the disorder in Lu escalated to such an extent that Confucius moved to the neighboring state of Ch'i. There, he had several meetings with the ruling duke but received little support (xviii. 3). So, he soon went back to his homeland and continued his work as a student and teacher for another fifteen years.[x]

During these fifteen years, the duke's power continued to decline, and his minister Yang Huo threatened the Chi. In such dark times, those who valued peace sought refuge in the world of thought to escape the surrounding gloom, while others, less accepting, pondered the reasons for the kingdom's decline. Lao-tzu, the founder of the mystical Taoist philosophy, taught that peace can only be found through inaction; Mo-tzu advocated for universal love, saying we should love all people as we love ourselves and care for others' parents as we do our own. Honest individuals were either forced out or chose to leave the world altogether. Confucius often encountered them during his travels and was criticized for not following their example. However, his practical mind knew that inaction couldn't solve the world's problems, and to address the nation's issues, one must first understand their causes. This could only be achieved through the study of history. He devoted himself to studying the past, later edited the Book of History, and compiled Spring and Autumn, a history of his home state from 722 to 481 B.C. To restore the golden days of Yao and Shun, a return to the principles of Wen and Wu, the kings who rebuilt the empire after tyranny and selfishness had brought it down, was necessary. No good could come from impractical ideals or renouncing the world.

Finally, in 501 B.C., Yang Huo had to escape from Lu, and things started to look up. A year later, Confucius was made governor of a town. So[xi] successful was he as governor that soon he was promoted to Superintendent of Works and then to Chief Criminal Judge. He gained significant influence with his ruler and did a lot to reduce the general suffering. He strengthened the duke's power to the point that neighboring states became envious. To create conflict between the duke and his minister, the people of Ch'i sent the duke a gift of singing girls. They brought him such happiness that for three days no court sessions were held. With this, Confucius left the land in 497 B.C.

For the next thirteen years, Confucius traveled from place to place, accompanied by his disciples, searching in vain for a ruler willing to hire him and whom he wanted to serve. Sometimes he faced danger, other times he suffered from poverty. Generally, he was treated with respect, although his teachings went unacknowledged. Yet, thirteen years of wandering without a home, with hopes constantly dashed, must have been difficult to endure. When he left his position, Confucius was already fifty-three years old, and his life so far seemed unsuccessful. The feeling of his wasted potential might have tempted him now and then to take a job under an undeserving ruler; however, knowing that no good would come from it, he held back, and likely he never seriously considered it.

In 483 B.C., when Confucius was sixty-six years old, thanks to his disciple Jan Yu, who served the Chi, the Master was invited to return to his homeland. He stayed here until his death in 479 B.C. He had several meetings with the ruling duke and the head of the Chi clan, but he couldn't gain any influence over either of them. So, he went back to his favorite studies; he edited the Book of Poetry—possibly the most fascinating collection of ancient songs that still exists—and wrote Spring and Autumn. His later years were filled with sorrow due to the loss of those closest to him. First, his son passed away, then Yen Yüan, the disciple he valued the most. Upon his death, the Master was overwhelmed with grief, and he left no one behind who loved learning. Finally, Tzu-lu, who was straightforward and brave, was killed in battle. Shortly after, in his seventy-first year, Confucius himself passed away in 479 B.C.

This book of the Master's Sayings is thought by the Chinese to have been written by Confucius's disciples. However, there's no proof of this, and some sections in the book suggest otherwise. Book viii mentions the death of Tseng-tzu, who didn’t die until 437 B.C., forty-two years after the Master. The main source for the text as it exists today is a manuscript discovered in Confucius's home in 150 B.C., likely hidden there between 213 and 211 B.C., during a time when the reigning emperor was trying to eliminate all copies of the classics. There is no earlier mention of the book under its current title. However, Mencius (372-289 B.C.) quotes seven passages from it, using language almost identical to what we have now, attributing them to Confucius. No one ever spoke in the style of these sayings. Such conciseness and flow can only be achieved through a lengthy process of refinement and polishing. We’re unlikely to get any closer to the truth than Legge's conclusion that the book was compiled by the students of Confucius's disciples, using the words and notes of their teachers around the year 400 B.C.

LEONARD A. LYALL.

AMALFI,

January 1909

[xiv]

I’ve included information that I felt was necessary for the reader to understand the text or that seemed generally interesting in the notes at the bottom of the page. Additional details about the people and places mentioned in the text are available in the Index.

Dates I got from Legge, Hirth, and other reputable authors.

In Chinese names, consonants are usually pronounced like in English, and vowels like in Italian.

E, when not combined with i, is pronounced almost like the German ö, or quite like the u in the English word luck.

the u equals w.

Chih and Shih rhyme roughly with her. Tzu is pronounced similarly to sir in the informal yessir, but with a hissing sound at the beginning.

[1]

1. The Master said, To learn and then apply it, isn't that a joy? When friends come from far away, don't we celebrate? To live without being recognized and not worry, isn't that what it means to be a gentleman?

2. Yu-tzu[2] said. Few people who are good sons and good brothers like to challenge those in authority. A person who dislikes opposing those above him but enjoys conflict is rare. A gentleman understands the basics. When the foundation is strong, the true path begins. And being a good son and a good brother, isn't that the foundation of love?

3. The Master said, Sweet talk and flattering smiles are rarely found alongside true love.

4. Tseng-tzu[3] said, Three times a day I ask myself: In my dealings with others, have I been dishonest? Have I been unfaithful to my friends? Do I live by the principles I promote?

5. The Master said, To lead a country with a thousand chariots, value work and be honest; spend sparingly and care for people; time your visits with the citizens.

6. The Master said, Young people should be respectful at home, humble when they go out, honest and trustworthy, generous and kind to everyone, but especially loving towards their family. And if they have extra energy, they should invest it in the arts.

7. Tzu-hsia[4] said, If a man avoids superficial beauty and values true worth, if he dedicates himself to serving his parents with all his might, if he is willing to sacrifice his life for his leader, and remains loyal to his friends, even if others claim he lacks education, I must consider him knowledgeable.

8. The Master said, A gentleman won’t be respected unless he is serious, and his knowledge won’t be solid. Prioritize loyalty and honesty; don’t associate with friends who aren’t like you; don’t be afraid to correct your mistakes.

9. Tseng-tzu[4] said, Pay attention to the dead, learn from the past, and the spirit of the people will become strong once more.

10. Tzu-ch'in[5] said to Tzu-kung,[6] When he arrives in a country, the Master always finds out how it is governed; does he ask, or is he told?

Tzu-kung said, The Master gains respect through his warmth and honesty, along with politeness, modesty, and being accommodating. The way the Master asks is different from how others ask.

11. The Master said, While your father is alive, seek his intentions; when he is gone, observe how he lived. Not changing anything in your father's practices for three years can be considered respectful.

12, Yu-tzu[7] said, Being relaxed is the most important part of politeness. This was the greatness of how the ancient kings acted; they practiced this in both minor and major matters. However, knowing this, it’s not good to let relaxation take over without the balance of politeness. That is also a mistake.

13. Yu-tzu said, If promises are closely honored, trust can be maintained. If our attentions are close to being polite, embarrassment will be kept at bay. If we don't choose the wrong people as our leaders, we can respect them too.

14. The Master said, A gentleman who doesn’t seek to overindulge, or look for comfort at home, who works diligently and speaks thoughtfully, who associates with those who follow the right path and is guided by them, can be considered someone who loves learning.

15. Tzu-kung[8] said, "Poor, but not a flatterer; rich, but not arrogant: what would that be like?"

"It would be fine," said the Master, "but even better is being poor yet happy; rich, yet valuing kindness."

Tzu-kung said, When the poem says:

is that what it means?

The Master said, "Now I can start discussing poetry with Tz'u. Tell him what has passed, and he'll understand what will happen next."

16. The Master said, Not being recognized is no sadness. My sadness comes from not knowing people.

[4]

1. The Master said, A leader who governs with wisdom is like the north star, steady in its position, while all the other stars revolve around it.

2. The Master said, The three hundred poems can be summarized in this one line: Don’t think any evil.

3. The Master said, Lead the people with laws, control them with punishment; they might avoid wrongdoing, but they will lack a sense of shame. Guide them with understanding, align them with kindness; they will learn shame and become better people.

4. The Master said, At fifteen, I wanted to learn; at thirty, I was stable; at forty, I had no doubts; at fifty, I understood the divine order; at sixty, my ears were open[9]; at seventy, I could follow my heart's desires without straying from what was right.

5. Meng Yi asked about a son's responsibilities.

The Master said, "Don't break the rules."

As Fan Chi'ih[10] was driving him, the Master said, Meng-sun[11] asked me what a son's duty is; I answered, To not overstep boundaries.

What did you mean? said Fan Chi'ih.

To treat our parents with respect while they are alive, to honor them with respect when they pass away, and to revere them with respect.

6. Meng Wu asked what the responsibility of a son is.

[5]

The Master said, he shouldn't cause his father and mother any sorrow except for being sick.

7. Tzu-yu[12] asked about the responsibilities of a son.

The Master said, Anyone who can provide for their parents is now considered a good son. But both dogs and horses are fed, and unless we respect our parents, what’s the difference?

8. Tzu-hsia[13] asked what the responsibilities of a son are.

The Master said, Our way is the difficult part. For young people to work hard and let their elders enjoy the wine and food, is this really fulfilling their duty?

9. The Master said, If I talk all day to Hui,[14] like a fool, he never disagrees with me. But when he’s by himself, I can see that he really understands and applies what I taught. No, Hui is not a fool!

10. The Master said, Look at what he does; pay attention to what motivates him; find out what makes him happy: can the man stay hidden? Can the man stay hidden?

11. The Master said, To maintain old knowledge and acquire new makes the teacher.

12. The Master said, A gentleman is not just a container.

13. Tzu-kung[15] asked, What does it mean to be a gentleman?

The Master said, He takes action before speaking.

14. The Master said, A gentleman is open-minded and fair; the small-minded person is biased and narrow.

15. The Master said, Learning without thinking is useless; thinking without learning is risky.

[6]

16. The Master said, Fighting against unfamiliar beliefs does more harm than good.

17. The Master said, Yu,[16] do you want me to teach you what wisdom is? Knowing what we know and understanding what we don’t know is true wisdom.

18. Tsu-chang[17] learned with the intention of getting paid.

The Master said, Listen a lot, avoid anything that seems unclear, talk carefully about everything else, and few will be upset. Observe a lot, avoid anything that seems risky, handle everything else with care, and you'll have little to regret. If your words rarely upset others, and your actions leave little to regret, rewards will come.

19. Duke Ai[18] asked, What should I do to earn the people's support?

Confucius answered, "Support the honest and remove the dishonest; and the people will be inspired. Support the dishonest and remove the honest; and the people will not be inspired."

20. Chi K'ang[19] asked how to make the people humble, loyal, and hardworking.

The Master said, Treat them with respect, and they'll be humble; be a good son and show kindness, and they'll be loyal; support the good and educate the unskilled, and they'll put in the effort.

21. Someone asked Confucius, "Why don’t you lead, Sir?"

The Master said, What does the Book[20] say about being a good son? 'Being a good son and a friend to your [7]brothers shows how to lead.' This, too, is a form of leadership. Do you have to hold a position to lead?

22. The Master said, A man without truth, I don't know what good he is! A cart without a crossbeam, a carriage without a yoke, how can they be moved?

23. Tzu-chang[21] asked if we can know what will happen ten generations from now.

The Master said, The Yin[22] adopted the customs of the Hsia; the benefits and drawbacks they experienced are clear. The Chou adopted the customs of the Yin; the benefits and drawbacks they experienced are also clear. And we can understand what will happen, even a hundred generations from now, to anyone who follows Chou.

24. The Master said, Worshiping the spirits of people who are not like us is just trying to flatter. Recognizing what is right and not acting on it shows a lack of courage.

[8]

1. Regarding the Chi having eight rows of dancers[23] in his courtyard, Confucius said, If we can endure this, what can't we endure?

2. When the sacrifice was over, the Three Clans had the Yung hymn performed.

The Master said,

what does this mean in the courtyard of the Three Clans?

3. The Master said, A man without love, what does courtesy mean to him? A man without love, what does music mean to him?

4. Lin Fang asked what good form really is.

The Master said, "That's a big question! During high-tides, saving is better than wasting; at funerals, feeling grief matters more than being proper."

5. The Master said, Every wild tribe has its leader, but the lands of Hsia[24] have none!

6. The Chi sacrificed to Mount T'ai.[25]

The Master said to Jan Yu,[26] Can you not put an end to this?

He replied, I can't.

Alas! said the Master; do you think Mount T'ai is less wise than Lin Fang?

[9]

7. The Master said, A gentleman never competes with others. Or must he, maybe, in archery? But even then, as he bows and makes way while going up or steps down to drink,[27] his competition is that of a gentleman.

8. Tzu-hsia asked, What does it mean:

Coloring, the Master said, comes after the plain background.

Then good form comes second, said Tzu-hsia.

Shang,[28] said the Master, you’ve understood my point! Now I can discuss poetry with you.

9. The Master said, I can talk about the customs of Hsia; but Chi[29] isn't enough proof. I can talk about the customs of Yin; but Sung isn't enough proof either. This is because there aren't enough books and great figures. If there were more of these, I could use them as evidence.

10. The Master said, After the drink offering at the Great Sacrifice, I don't want to see anything else.

11. Someone asked what the Great Sacrifice means.

The Master said, "I don’t know. The person who understands the meaning would look beyond everything in the world, just like I’m doing now," and he pointed to his palm.

[10]

12. He worshipped as if those he revered were right in front of him; he worshipped the spirits as if they were there with him.

The Master said: For me, not participating in the sacrifice is the same as not making a sacrifice at all.

13. Wang-sun Chia[30] said, What does it mean when they say, it's better to honor the hearth-god than the god of the home?

Not at all, the Master replied. A sin against Heaven doesn’t allow for prayer.

14. The Master said, Chou[31] looks back on two lines of kings. How rich, how rich it is in art! I follow Chou.

15. Upon entering the Great Temple, the Master inquired about everything.

One said, Who says the Tsou man's son knows the ceremonies? When he entered the Great Temple, he asked about everything.

When he heard this, the Master said, "That's how the ritual goes."

16. The Master said, In archery, the arrow doesn’t have to hit the target perfectly, because people have different levels of strength. This was the old guideline.

17. Tzu-kung wanted to eliminate the sheep offering during the new moon.

The Master said, "You love the sheep, Tz'u; I love the ritual."

[11]

18. The Master said: Serve the king with complete respect; people call it flattery.

19. Duke Ting asked how a lord should treat his subjects, and how subjects should serve their lord.

Confucius answered, The leader should treat his followers with respect; followers should serve their leader loyally.

20. The Master said, The poem The Osprey is joyful, but not reckless; it is sorrowful, but not depressing.

21. Duke Ai asked Tsai Wo about the earth altars.

Tsai Wo replied, The emperors of the Hsia dynasty were surrounded by fir trees; the people of Yin had cypress; the people of Chou had chestnut, which meant, Let the people be afraid.[32]

On hearing this, the Master said, I don’t talk about what’s finished, criticize what’s determined, or blame what’s already happened.[33]

22. The Master said, How uninformed was Kuan Chung!

But, one asked, wasn't Kuan Chung frugal?

The Master said that Kuan owned San Kuei, and no one in his household held two positions: was that being thrifty?

At least Kuan Chung knew how to act properly.

The Master said, Kings cover their gates with trees; the Kuan did the same. When two kings are drinking, they have a place for the turned-down cups; the Kuan had a turned-down cup holder, too! If the Kuan understood proper etiquette, then who doesn’t understand proper etiquette?[34]

23. The Master said to the Great Master[35] of Lu, We can learn to play music; first in unison; then building up to harmony, with each part distinct, leading to a finish.

24. The warden of Yi asked to see Confucius, saying, No gentleman has ever come here that I haven't met.

The followers welcomed him.

On leaving, he said, "My few boys, why mourn your downfall? The Way has been lost for a long time on this earth! Now Heaven will turn the Master into a warning bell."

25. The Master said about the music of Shao, "It’s completely beautiful and completely good." Regarding the music of Wu, he said, "It’s completely beautiful, but not completely good."

26. The Master said, Status without charm; traditions without respect; mourning without sorrow, why should I even pay attention to them?

[13]

1. The Master said, Love makes a place beautiful: if someone chooses not to love, do they really have wisdom?

2. The Master said, Unloving people can't handle need for long; they can't handle good fortune for long either. Loving people find peace in love, and the wise find benefit in it.

3. The Master said, Only love can love others or hate others.

4. The Master said, A will focused on love is free from wrongdoing.

5. The Master said, People desire wealth and status; but do not stray from your principles to attain them. People dislike poverty and lowliness; but do not stray from your principles to avoid them.

Shorn of love, is a gentleman worthy of the name? Not for a moment can a gentleman betray love; he must not do so in a rush or in complete defeat.

6. The Master said, I have not met anyone who truly loves love and dislikes unkindness. The person who loves love values nothing more. Someone who hates unkindness is so devoted to love that they let no unkindness into their life. If a person were to dedicate their strength to love for just one day, I have seen no one whose strength would give out. There may be such people, but I have yet to see one.

7. The Master said, A man and his flaws are interconnected. By observing his faults, we can see whether he is capable of love.[14]

8. The Master said, Learning the Way at dawn and dying by night would be sufficient.

9. The Master said, A knight[36] searching for the Way, who feels embarrassed about poor clothing and low-quality food, it’s pointless to talk to.

10. The Master said, A gentleman has no preferences or aversions in the world. He follows what is right.

11. The Master said, The gentleman values his thoughts, while the small man values material things. Gentlemen rely on the law, while the small man relies on personal favors.

12. The Master said, The pursuit of profit is full of resentment.

13. The Master said, What does it mean to influence a kingdom through polite submission? If we can't influence a kingdom through polite submission, what value does our politeness have?

14. The Master said, Don't worry about not having a position; focus on being ready to take one. Don't stress about being unnoticed, but strive to be someone worth recognizing.

15. The Master said, One line, Shen,[37] runs through my path.

Sure, said Tseng-tzu.

After the Master left, the disciples asked what it meant.

Tseng-tzu said, The Master's Way is simply about loyalty and empathy.

16. The Master said, A quality person understands what's right; a lesser person is focused on profit.

[15]

17. The Master said, When you see someone great, think about how you can become like them; when you see someone lowly, look inside yourself.

18. The Master said, A father or a mother may be gently scolded. If you see they have no desire to follow you, be even more humble, but don’t give in; nor complain about the trouble they cause you.

19. The Master said, While your father and mother are alive, don’t stray too far. If you need to travel, stay on a direct path.

20. The Master said, Someone who doesn't change anything in their father's practices for three years can be considered faithful.

21. The Master said, A father's and mother's age must be taken into account; with joy on one side and concern on the other.

22. The Master said, The people of the past were reluctant to speak, because not keeping their promises would have embarrassed them.

23. The Master said, We'll rarely get lost if we stick to the main paths.

24. The Master said, A gentleman prefers to think before he speaks and acts quickly.

25. The Master said, A great soul is never without friends: they always have neighbors.

26. Tzu-yu said, Constantly criticizing kings leads to shame, and nagging friends causes distance.

[16]

1. About Kung-yeh Ch'ang, the Master said, A girl could be married to him. Even though he has been imprisoned, that wasn't his fault.

He gave him his daughter to marry.

Of Nan Jung, the Master said, When the land follows the Way, he will not be overlooked; and if the land strays from the Way, he will avoid punishment and death.

He gave him his niece to marry.

2. About Tzu-chien[38] the Master said, What a gentleman he is! But if there were no gentlemen in Lu, where could he have learned to be one?

3. Tzu-kung asked, "What about me?"

You are a vessel, said the Master.

What type of boat?

A luxurious temple vessel.

4. One said, Yung[39] has love, but he is not smooth.

The Master said, What’s the point of being smooth-talking? Using your words to fight just makes people dislike you. I don’t know if it’s love or not, but what’s the point of being smooth-talking?

5. The Master appointed Ch'i-tiao K'ai to take the position.

He replied, "For this, I need confidence."

The Boss was pleased.

6. The Master said, The Way is abandoned! I must [17]take a boat and navigate the waves; and Yu[40] will come with me.

When Tzu-lu heard this, he felt happy.

The Master said, Yu is bolder than I am, but he doesn't know how to handle things.

7. Meng Wu asked if Tzu-lu felt love.

I don't know, said the Master.

He asked again.

A land with a thousand chariots might put Yu in charge of its troops; but I don’t know if love is his.

And what about Ch'iu?[41]

A town with a thousand households and a clan with a hundred chariots could make Ch'iu the governor; but I don't know if he has love for it.

And what about Ch'ih?[42]

Standing in the court, wearing his sash, Ch'ih might host the guests; but whether he loves them, I don't know.

8. The Master asked Tzu-kung, "Who is the better man, you or Hui[43]?"

He replied, How could I even think to compare myself to Hui? When Hui hears one thing, he gets it right away; when I hear one thing, I only grasp a little.

The Master said, "You are not like him. You’re not like him, and neither am I."

9. Tsai Yü[44] slept during the day.

The Master said, Rotten wood can't be carved, [18] and dung walls can't be plastered. Why argue with Yü?

The Master said, When I first met people, I listened to what they said and believed their actions. Now when I meet them, I pay attention to their words and observe their actions. I clarified this about Yü.

10. The Master said, I haven't met anyone steadfast.

One answered, Shen Chang.

The Master said, "Ch'ang is passionate; how can he be strong?"

11. Tzu-kung said, What I don't want done to me, I also don't want to do to others.

The Master said, "That's still beyond you, Tz'u."

12. Tzu-kung said, We have the chance to hear the Master talk about his teachings and principles, but we don’t have the opportunity to hear him discuss human nature and the Way of Heaven.

13. Until Tzu-lu could put into practice what he had heard, his only fear was hearing more.

14. Tzu-kung asked, Why was K'ung-wen considered cultured?

The Master said he was quick and loved learning; he wasn’t embarrassed to ask those below him: that’s why he was considered cultured.

15. The Master said that Tzu-ch'an had four qualities of a gentleman. He lived simply; he respected those he served. He was generous in providing for the people, and he was fair in his demands on them.

16. The Master said, Yen P'ing was a good friend. The longer he knew you, the more considerate he became.

17. The Master said, Tsang Wen placed his tortoise[19] on hills for the pillars and reeds for the supports: is this what he called wisdom?

18. Tzu-chang said, The chief minister, Tzu-wen, was appointed minister three times without showing any joy, and he stepped down each time with a calm demeanor. He always explained to the new ministers how the previous ones had ruled: what was that about?

He was loyal, said the Master.

But was it really love?

I don't know, said the Master: how can this be considered love?

When Ts'ui killed the lord of Ch'i, Ch'en Wen gathered ten teams of horses and left the area. Arriving in another kingdom, he said, "Just like my lord Ts'ui," and then left. In a second kingdom, he said again, "Just like my lord Ts'ui," and left: why was that?

He was clean, the Master said.

But was it love?

I don't know, said the Master: how can this be considered love?

19. Chi Wen thought carefully three times before taking action.

On hearing this, the Master said, "Twice is enough."

20. The Master said, As long as the land followed the path Ning Wu demonstrated, he showed wisdom; when his land strayed from that path, he became naive. We can reach his level of wisdom; that kind of naivety is beyond us.[45]

[20]

21. When he was in Ch'en, the Master said, "Home, I have to go home! My eager or reckless young scholars at home don’t realize what they still need to improve!"

22. The Master said, Because Po-yi and Shu-ch'i never held onto past wrongs, they had few enemies.[46]

23. The Master said, Who can set Wei-sheng Kao straight? A man asked him for vinegar: he asked a neighbor for it and gave it.

24. The Master said, Insincere compliments, flattering expressions, and excessive modesty are shameful, as Tso Ch'iu-ming believed, and I agree. He found it disgraceful to mask hostility and pretend to be friends, and I feel the same way.

25. As Yen Yüan and Chi-lu[47] were sitting with him, the Master said, Why doesn’t each of you share your wishes with me?

Tzu-lu said, I would like carriages and horses, [21]and clothes made of light fur to share with my friends, and if they mess them up, I won’t get angry.

Yen Yüan said, I don't want to brag about my skills, accomplishments, or any talents I may have.

Tzu-lu said, "We’d like to hear your thoughts, Sir."

The Master said, To give the elders peace, to be loyal to friends, and to care for the young.

26. The Master said, It is done! I haven't met anyone who can recognize their own faults and hold themselves accountable.

27. The Master said, In a village of ten houses, there must be people who are as honest and sincere as I am, but they don’t love learning as much as I do.

[22]

1. The Master said, Yung[48] could take the place of a prince.

And could Tzu-sang Po-tzu? asked Chung-kung.

Yes, said the Master; but he is lazy.

To be strict with himself, said Chung-kung, and lenient with his demands on the people might work, but to be lenient himself and easy on others has to be too easy.

The Master said, "What Yung says is true."

2. Duke Ai asked which students loved learning.

Confucius answered, Yen Hui[49] was passionate about learning. He never held onto anger and never made the same mistake twice. Unfortunately, his time was brief; he passed away. Since he’s gone, I hear of no one who loves learning.

3. When Tzu-hua[50] was sent to Ch'i, the disciple Jan asked for grain for his mother.

The Master said, Give her six pecks.

He asked for more.

The Master said, "Give her sixteen."

Jan gave her $800.

The Master said, On his way to Ch'i, Ch'ih[51] was pulled by fast horses and dressed in light furs. I have heard that gentlemen support those in need, not that they accumulate wealth.

[23]

When Yüan Ssu was appointed governor, he was given nine hundred measures of grain, which he declined.

"Not at all," said the Master. "Why not take it and give it to your neighbors and fellow countrymen?"

4. The Master said about Chung-kung, If the calf of a brindled cow is red and has horns, even if people are hesitant to offer him, will the hills and streams refuse him?

5. The Master said, For three months straight, Hui's[52] heart never went against love. Others might manage it for a day or a month, but that's it.

6. Chi K'ang[53] asked if Chung-yu[54] was suitable to lead.

The Master said, Yu[54] is strong; what would ruling mean to him?

And is Tz'u__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__ fit to rule?

Tz'u is thorough; what would ruling mean to him?

And is Ch'iu__A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__ fit to lead?

Ch'in is smart; what would governing mean to him?

7. The Chi sent to appoint Min Tzu-ch'ien[57] as governor of Pi.

Min Tzu-ch'ien said, Make a good excuse for me. If he sends again, I need to be across the Wen.

8. When Po-niu[57] was sick, the Master inquired about him. Reaching through the window to hold his hand, he said, "He is leaving. It’s his time; but why this man with such a serious illness? Why him?" [24]

9. The Master said. What a guy Hui was![58] A bowl of rice, a gourd of water, in a narrow alley; a person can’t handle that kind of hardship! Yet Hui always stayed cheerful. What a guy he was!

10. Jan Ch'iu[59] said, It's not that I don't enjoy the Master's path; I just want to be strong.

The Master said, "Those who seek strength give up halfway; but you set a boundary."

11. The Master said to Tzu-hsia, "Learn to be a gentleman, but not in the same way that a petty person learns."

12. When Tzu-yu was the governor of Wu-ch'eng, the Master asked, "Have you found any men?"

He replied, "I have Tan-t'ai Mieh-ming. He won’t take a shortcut when walking, and he has only come to my house for business."

13. The Master said, Meng Chih-fan never boasts. He was holding back during a retreat; but when he reached the gate, he spurred his horse and shouted, "It wasn’t my bravery that kept me back; my horse just wouldn’t move!"

14. The Master said, Unless we are as smooth-talking as the reader T'o and as fair as Chao of Sung, escaping is tough in these times!

15. The Master said, Who can leave except through the door? Why does no one stick to the Path?

16. The Master said, When substance is more important than style, it leads to clumsiness; when style is more important than substance, it leads to pretentiousness. A good combination of substance and style creates a true gentleman.

17. The Master said, People are born honest. If [25]they end up going astray and still manage to live, they're fortunate to have made it through.

18. The Master said, The person who knows is not as great as the one who loves, and the one who loves is not as great as the one who finds joy in it.

19. The Master said, With those who are more than ordinary, we can discuss deeper topics; with those who are less than ordinary, we shouldn't bring up deeper topics.

20. Fan Ch'ih[60] asked, "What is wisdom?"

The Master said, To promote righteousness among the people; to respect ghosts and spirits, while still maintaining distance from them, can be considered wisdom.

He asked, What's love?

The Master said, Putting the effort ahead of the reward can be called love.

21. The Master said, Wisdom enjoys water; love enjoys hills. Wisdom is dynamic; love is serene. Wisdom is joyful; love matures.

22. The Master said, With one change, Ch'i could become Lu; with one change, Lu could find the Way.

23. The Master said, A drinking horn that isn’t even a horn! What a horn! What a drinking horn!

24. Tsai Wo[61] said, If someone who truly cares hears that a person has fallen into a well, would they jump in after him?

The Master said, Why should he? A gentleman can be led to the well, but not pushed into it. He might be deceived, but not tricked.

25. The Master said, With a wide range of reading and [26] the bonds of politeness, a gentleman is also kept from going astray.

26. The Master saw Nan-tzu.[62] Tzu-lu was not happy.

The Master swore an oath, saying, "If I've done something wrong, may Heaven abandon me, may Heaven abandon me!"

27. The Master said, The greatest minds connect to the Center, the Common. They have been few and far between among the people.

28. Tzu-kung said, To treat the people generously and assist the many, what would that be? Could we call it love?

The Master said, What does this have to do with love? Shouldn't it be about holiness? Yao and Shun[63] still longed for this. When searching for a place to stand, love discovers a place for others; when pursuing light for itself, it also sheds light on others. Learning from those close by can be seen as the key to love.

[27]

1. The Master said, I’m more of a storyteller than a creator, someone who values and cherishes the past; I could compare myself to our old P’eng.[64]

2. The Master said, To reflect quietly, to always seek knowledge, to teach without getting tired; do any of these belong to me?

3. The Master said, Not fully using my mind, being shallow in my learning, not doing the right thing when instructed, lacking the strength to overcome my faults; these are my sorrows.

4. During his free time, the Master was relaxed and cheerful.

5. The Master said, How deep is my decline! It's been a long time since I saw the Duke of Chou[65] in a dream.

6. The Master said, Focus your intention on the path, rely on your mind, find peace in love, and express yourself through art.

7. The Master said, From the person who paid with dried meat and up, I haven’t held back teaching from anyone.

8. The Master said, I only open up to those who are struggling, and I only find the right words for those who are stumbling in their speech.

[28]

If I lift one corner and leave the other three untouched, I won't say anything more.

9. When eating next to someone who was mourning, the Master never ate to his heart's content. On days when he had been grieving, he didn’t sing.

10. The Master said to Yen Yüan, "To take action when in a position of power and to remain still when not; only you and I can do that."

Tzu-lu said, "If you had to lead three armies, sir, who would you have with you?"

"No man," said the Master, "would confront a tiger with his bare hands, or jump into a river and die without a second thought; rather, it's someone who, fearful of what might happen, carefully plans and executes those plans."

11. The Master said, If carrying a whip guaranteed wealth, I would become a driver; but since there’s no guaranteed path, I choose to walk the path I love.

12. The Master focused on abstaining, war, and illness.

13. While he was in Ch'i, for three months after hearing the Shao played, the Master didn't eat any meat.

"I never thought," he said, "that music could rise to such levels."

14. Jan Yu asked, Is the Master for the lord of Wei?[66]

I will ask him, said Tzu-kung.

[29]

He went in and asked, What kind of men were Po-yi[67] and Shu-ch'i?

Worthy men of the past, said the Master.

Did they regret the past?

They searched for love and found it; what was there to regret?

Tzu-kung went out and said, "The Master is not for him."

15. The Master said, Eating simple rice and drinking water, using my bent arm as a pillow, we can be cheerful; but wealth and honors gained unjustly are to me just a passing cloud.

16. The Master said, With a few more years, reaching fifty in my study of the Yi,[68] I could overcome my major flaws.

17. The Master enjoyed discussing poetry, history, and maintaining good manners. He loved to talk about all of these topics.

18. The Duke of She asked Tzu-lu about Confucius.

Tzu-lu didn’t respond.

The Master said, Why didn’t you say, He is a man who forgets to eat in his eagerness, whose sorrows are forgotten in happiness, who doesn’t realize that old age is approaching?

19. The Master said, I wasn’t born wise: I loved the past and pursued it passionately.

20. The Master never spoke about goblins, power, chaos, or ghosts.

21. The Master said, "When I walk with two others, I can always learn something. I take note of the good qualities and follow them; I see the bad qualities and avoid them."

22. The Master said, Heaven gave me this mind; what can Huan T'ui[69] do to me?

23. The Master said, "My two or three students, do you think I keep secrets? I hide nothing from you. I'm someone who doesn't keep anything from my two or three students."

24. The Master taught four things: skills, behavior, loyalty, and honesty.

25. The Master said, I won’t live to see a truly holy person; I’d be satisfied with just a gentleman! I won’t live to see a good person; I’d be satisfied with someone who is reliable! But when nothing pretends to be something, when clouds seem like solid things and desire is mistaken for wealth, it’s really tough to stay strong!

26. The Master took aim, but he didn’t use a net; he shot, but not at birds that were perched.

27. The Master said, There might be people who do things without understanding why. I’m not one of them. To listen a lot, choose what’s good and follow it; to observe a lot and reflect on it; that’s just shy of wisdom.

28. Talking to the Hu village was difficult. When the Master saw a young man, the disciples questioned it.

The Master said, I accept his arrival, not what he does afterward. Why be so strict? If someone cleans up to enter, I acknowledge their cleanliness, but I don’t guarantee their past.

[31]

29. The Master said, Is love really that distant? I yearn for love, and look! Love has arrived.

30. A judge from Ch'en asked if Duke Chao[70] knew proper etiquette.

Confucius replied that he understood proper conduct.

After Confucius left, the judge signaled Wu-ma Ch’i[71] and said, "I’ve heard that gentlemen don’t take sides, but do they really? This lord married a woman from Wu, who had the same name as him, and referred to her as Miss Tzu of Wu: if he understood proper etiquette, shouldn’t everyone understand it?"

When Wu-ma Ch'i told the Master this, he said, "How lucky I am! If I make a mistake, people are sure to notice!"

31. When someone sang well to the Master, he had them sing it again and joined in.

32. The Master said, I don't read any more than anyone else; I haven't yet learned to live like a gentleman.

33. The Master said, How can I claim to be holy or loving? I am just a man with endless desires, who never gets tired of teaching; that’s all there is to it.

That’s exactly what we, as disciples, can’t learn, said Kung-hsi Hua.

34. When the Master was very sick, Tzu-lu asked for permission to pray.

Is it done? said the Master.

[32]

"It is," Tzu-lu replied. "The Memorials say, Pray to the spirits above and to the Earth below."

The Master said, My prayer has lasted a long time.

35. The Master said, Wasting resources makes people undisciplined, while being frugal makes them stingy; however, being stingy is better than being undisciplined.

36. The Master said, A gentleman is composed and accommodating; the petty person is always worried.

37. The Master's attitude was friendly yet composed. He was strict, but not harsh; modest, yet approachable.

[33]

1. The Master said, T'ai-po[72] can be considered the one who took nobility to its highest level. He turned down all offers three times. People were unsure how to commend him.

2. The Master said, Without good manners, attentiveness turns into fussiness, caution becomes fear, boldness turns into unruliness, and honesty becomes rudeness. When gentlemen are loyal to their families, love will flourish among the people; if they don’t abandon old friends, the people won't turn to theft.

3. When Tseng-tzu was sick, he called his disciples and said, "Expose my feet, expose my arms." The poem says,

My little children, I have learned how to stay safe until now and in the future.[73]

4. When Tseng-tzu was sick, Meng Ching[74] came to check on him.

Tseng-tzu said, When a bird is dying, its songs are sad; when a man is dying, his words are good. Three aspects of the Way are valued by a gentleman: to eliminate violence and contempt from his demeanor; to align his expression with the truth; and to avoid speaking in low or inappropriate ways. The ritual of chalice and platter[75] has attendants to take care of it.

5. Tseng-tzu said, When we can, we should ask those who can’t; when we have more, we should ask those who have less; when we have, we should seem like we’re lacking; when we’re genuine, we should seem like a shadow; when pushed back, we should never respond angrily; I once had a friend[76] who could do this.

6. Tseng-tzu said, A person who can be entrusted with an orphan just a few feet tall, or the fate of a hundred towns, and who remains uncorrupted in any crisis, is he not truly a gentleman?

7. Tseng-tzu said, The knight must be strong and brave; his burden is heavy, and the journey is long. His burden is love, and that's a heavy one, right? No stopping before death, isn't that a long way?

8. The Master said, Poetry inspires us, we rely on courtesy, music is our glory.

9. The Master said, People can be led to follow, but we can't make them understand.

10. The Master said, A love for adventure and a hatred of being poor can lead to crime; a man who lacks love, when he is deeply troubled, may resort to crime.

11. The Master said, All the beautiful gifts from the Duke of Chou,[77] combined with arrogance and stinginess, wouldn't be worth looking at.

[35]

12. The Master said, It's rare to find a person who hasn't gained anything from three years of studying.

13. The Master said, A person with genuine faith who loves to learn and continuously improves themselves until death will not enter a crumbling kingdom or remain in a lawless place. When everyone under heaven follows the Way, he is recognized; when they stray from the Way, he becomes invisible. While his country upholds the Way, he feels embarrassed about being poor and humble; but when his country has abandoned the Way, he finds shame in wealth and honors.

14. The Master said, When you're in the wrong situation, don't talk about policy.

15. The Master said, In the early days of the music-master Chih, how the noise of the Kuan-chü swelled up, wave after wave! How it filled the ear!

16. The Master said, Of men who are enthusiastic but not honest; slow, but not naive; helpless, but not truthful, I want nothing to do with them.

17. The Master said, Learn as if time is running out, like someone who is afraid of missing out.

18. The Master said, How amazing were Shun[79] and Yü[79]! Having everything in the world meant nothing to them!

19. The Master said, How great a leader was Yao[79]! Amazing! Only Heaven is great; Yao was the only one who mirrored it. Huge, limitless! People's words fell short. The brilliance of what he accomplished! The passion of his teachings and principles!

[36]

20. Shun had five advisors, and everything was in order across the land.

King Wu[80] said, I have ten exceptional ministers.

Confucius said, 'The lack of talent,' isn't that the truth? When Yü[81] followed T'ang[82], the times were full of talent; yet there were only nine men and one woman. In terms of greatness of spirit, we can say that Chou[83] was the greatest: he had two-thirds of everyone below the heavens and used it to serve Yin.

21. The Master said, I see no faults in Yü. He didn't eat or drink much, but he was generous in his respect for the ghosts and spirits. His clothes were shabby, but he looked good in his cap and gown. His palace was modest, yet he devoted all his energy to building dykes and ditches. I can't see any kind of flaw in Yü.

[37]

1. The Master rarely spoke about profit, love, or the request.

2. A man from the village of Ta-hsiang said, "The great Confucius, with all his knowledge, hasn't made a name for himself in anything."

When the Master heard this, he said to his disciples, "What should I pursue? Should I go for driving, or should I go for shooting? I will choose driving."

3. The Master said, A linen cap is proper; now people wear silk. It's cheap, so I go along with the crowd. Bowing down is respectful; now it's done with a nod. This is arrogance, so, breaking from the crowd, I still bow down.

4. The Master was completely free from four things: hidden motives, 'must,' 'shall,' and 'I.'

5. When he was scared in K'uang,[84] the Master said, Since King Wen died, is this not the center of culture? If Heaven had wanted to wipe out our culture, a later generation wouldn’t be involved in it at all. Until Heaven decides to judge our culture, what can the people of K'uang do to me?

6. A high-ranking official said to Tzu-kung, "The Master must be a holy man; he can do so many things!"

[38]

Tzu-kung said, Heaven has definitely given him so much that he is almost saintly, and he can do a lot of things, too.

When the Master heard this, he said, “Does the minister know me? Because I was poor when I was young, I can do a lot of trivial things. But does doing a lot of things make someone a gentleman? No, not doing a lot does.”

Lao said, The Master would say, Since I had no position, I learned the trades.

7. The Master said, Do I really have wisdom? I don't have wisdom. But when an ordinary person asks me something without much thought, I explore it from different angles and dig deep into it.

8. The Master said, The phoenix doesn’t come, the River shows no signs: it's all over for me!

9. When the Master saw people dressed in black, or in cap and gown, or a blind person, he always stood up—even for the young—and if he was walking past them, he picked up his pace.

10. Yen Yüan sighed and said, "The more I look up, the higher it gets; the deeper I dig, the deeper it goes! I see it in front of me, but suddenly it’s behind me! The Master guides people carefully, step by step. He expands my knowledge and connects me through respect. If I wanted to stop, I couldn't until I was completely exhausted. The goal seems close, but even though I want to reach it, I can't find a way."

11. When the Master was very sick, Tzu-lu had the disciples act as leaders.

During a better time, the Master said, Yu has long[39] been pretending. This display of ministers—when I have no ministers—is who will it fool? Will it fool Heaven? And isn't it better to die with my two or three boys than to die surrounded by ministers? And if I miss a grand funeral, will I die alone by the roadside?

12. Tzu-kung said, If I had a beautiful piece of jade here, should I keep it hidden in a case, or try to find a good price and sell it?

Sell it, sell it! said the Master. I'm waiting for my price.

13. The Master wanted to live among the nine tribes.[85]

One said, "They're low; how could you?"

The Master said, Wherever a gentleman resides, will there be anything beneath him?

14. The Master said. After I returned from Wei to Lu, the music was organized, and each song was in its proper place.

15. The Master said, To serve lords and officials outside and to care for my father and brothers at home; in matters of mourning not to be careless; and not to be a slave to alcohol: which of these have I achieved?

16. As he stood by a stream, the Master said, "Rushing around like this, day and night, without a break!"

17. The Master said, I have seen no one who values intellect as much as he values appearance.

18. The Master said, When building a mound, if I'm about to finish it with one more basket and I stop, I stop. When leveling ground, if I’ve overturned one basket and keep going, I continue.

19. The Master said, Hui was never inattentive when he was spoken to.[86]

20. Speaking of Yen Yüan, the Master said, What a shame! I saw him keep going, but I never saw him stop!

21. The Master said, Some sprouts don’t bloom, and some blooms don’t produce fruit!

22. The Master said, Respect is owed to youth. Who knows if tomorrow will be as bright as today? For men in their forties or fifties who are still not recognized, no respect is owed.

23. The Master said, Who wouldn't listen to a straightforward word? But improving is better. Who wouldn't appreciate a guiding word? But reflecting on it is better. With those who are happy but don't reflect, or who listen but don't improve, I can do nothing.

24. The Master said, Prioritize honesty and integrity; don’t associate with those who aren’t like you; don’t be embarrassed to correct your mistakes.

25. The Master said, Three armies can lose their leader, but no one can take away a person's will.

26. The Master said, Yu[87] is the person who stands confidently, wearing a frayed quilted gown, without shame, among those dressed in luxurious fox and badger robes!

But when Tzu-lu kept repeating these words, the Master said, This is the way to it, but it's still far from goodness itself!

[41]

27. The Master said, "In the cold days, you can see how the fir and cypress are the last to fade."

28. The Master said, Wisdom has no doubts; love does not worry; the brave have no fears.

29. The Master said, With some we can learn together, but we can't follow their path; we can walk the same path with others, even if our perspectives differ; and with some, even though our perspectives are the same, our measures and judgments are not.

30.

The Master said, Her mind wasn’t on him, or how could he be so far away?

[42]

1. Among his fellow townspeople, Confucius had a plain appearance, as if he had nothing to say.

In the family temple and at court, his speech was detailed but careful.

2. At court, he spoke honestly with the lower-ranking men and charmed the higher-ranking ones. When the king was present, he appeared focused and serious.

3. When the king asked him to welcome guests, his expression changed and his legs felt wobbly. He bowed to the people next to him, adjusted his robes in the front and back, and stepped forward with his arms outstretched like wings. After the guest had left, he reported back, saying, "The guest isn’t watching anymore."

4. As he entered through the palace gate, he bent down, as if it were too low for him. He didn’t stand in the center of the gate or step on the threshold.

When he walked past the throne, his expression seemed to shift and his legs appeared to bend. He spoke in a hushed tone. As he moved up the hall to meet the audience, he raised his robes, bent his back, and controlled his breathing until it seemed to halt. When he descended, he loosened his face at the first step and appeared satisfied. At the bottom of the steps, he advanced with his arms stretched out like wings; and when he returned to his seat, he looked focused as before.

5. When he held the scepter, his back hunched, as[43] if carrying too heavy a load; he raised it no higher than when bowing and no lower than when offering a gift. His expression shifted, as it does with fear, and he shuffled his feet, as if they were chained.

When he gave his gift, he was very formal; but during the private meeting, he was friendly.

6. The man never wore violet or mauve; even at home, he wouldn't wear red or purple.

In hot weather, he wore an unlined linen gown, but always over other clothes.

With lambskin, he wore black; with fawn, white; and with fox fur, yellow. At home, he wore a long fur coat with a short right sleeve.

His nightgown was always one and a half times longer than his body.

In the house, he wore thick fur, either from a fox or a badger.

When he wasn't in mourning, his belt had everything it needed.

Except for the ceremonial outfit, he was frugal with his possessions.

He didn’t wear lamb’s wool or a black cap during a visit to pay his respects.

At the new moon, he always wore formal attire and went to the palace.

7. On his days of abstinence, he always wore light-colored linen clothes; he changed his food and sat in a different spot.

8. He didn’t mind well-cleaned rice or finely chopped hash. He avoided sour or moldy rice, spoiled fish, or rotten meat. He wouldn’t eat anything that looked bad or smelled off, or food that[44] was poorly cooked or out of season. He didn’t eat food that was cut badly or served with the wrong sauce. No matter how much meat there was, it couldn't overshadow his love for rice. He had no limits when it came to wine, but he didn’t drink enough to get tipsy. He didn’t buy wine or eat pre-dried market meat. He always had ginger with his meals. He didn’t eat much.

After a sacrifice at the palace, he didn’t keep the meat overnight. He never kept sacrificial meat for more than three days. If it had been kept longer, it wasn’t eaten.

He didn't talk during meals and didn't speak when he was in bed.

Even at a meal of plain rice, or veggie soup, or squash, he made his offering with complete respect.

9. If his mat wasn’t straight, he wouldn’t sit down.

10. When the villagers were drinking wine, he left as well, just like those who walked away with a staff.

At the village exorcisms, he wore formal court attire and stood on the east steps.

11. When he sent a man with questions to another country, he bowed to him twice and watched him leave.

When K'ang handed him some drugs, he bowed, accepted them, and said, "I've never taken them; I don't dare try them."

12. When he returned from court after his stables had burned down, the Master asked, "Is anyone hurt?" He didn’t ask about the horses.

13. When the king sent him cooked meat, he straightened his mat and tasted it first; when he sent him raw meat, he had it cooked and offered it to the spirits; when he sent him a live animal, he kept it alive.

When he dined with the king, the king served the food, and he tasted everything first.

When he was sick and the king came to see him, he lay with his head facing east, covered with his formal outfit and his belt across it.

When the king summoned him, he walked there without waiting for his ride.

14. When he entered the Great Temple, he asked about everything.

15. When a friend died, who had nowhere to go, he said, "It's my responsibility to bury him."

When friends sent him anything, even a carriage and horses, he never bowed, unless the gift was meat.

16. He didn’t sleep like a log. At home, he relaxed.

Even if he knew him well, his expression changed when he saw someone grieving. Even when he was in casual clothes, if he saw anyone dressed up, or a blind man, he looked serious.

To the men in deep mourning and to the census-takers, he bent over the cross-bar.

Before choice meats, he stood up with a changed expression. At the sound of sharp thunder or a fierce wind, his expression shifted.

17. When he got into his carriage, he stood tall and grabbed the cord. Once he was inside, he didn't look back, talk quickly, or gesture. [46]

18. Seeing a man's face, she stood up, darted around, and landed. The Master said, "Hen pheasant on the ridge, it's that time, it's that time."

Tzu-lu walked up to her: she sniffed three times and stood up.[88]

[47]

1. The Master said, "Savages! The men who first embraced courtesy and music! Gentlemen! Those who adopted them later! I prefer to follow the original path in both."

2. The Master said, "None of my followers in Ch'en or Ts'ai come to my door anymore! Yen Yüan, Min Tzu-ch'ien, Jan Po-niu, and Chung-kung were noble individuals; Tsai Wo and Tzu-kung were the conversationalists; Jan Yu and Chi-lu were politicians; Tzu-yu and Tzu-hsia were skilled in the arts and education."

3. The Master said, I get no help from Hui.[89] Everything I say brings him joy!

4. The Master said, How great of a son is Min Tzu-ch'ien! No one complains about anything that his father, mother, or siblings say about him.

5. Nan Jung would repeat The Sceptre White three times.[90] Confucius gave him his brother's daughter as his wife.

6. Chi K'ang asked which disciples enjoyed learning. Confucius replied, Yen Hui[91] loved learning. Unfortunately, his time was brief; he passed away. Now there is no one.

[48]

7. When Yen Yüan passed away, Yen Lu[92] asked for the Master's carriage to provide an outer coffin.

The Master said, whether smart or not, we all talk about our sons. When Li[93] died, he had an inner coffin but not an outer one: I wouldn't walk to provide an outer coffin. As I follow the ministers, I can't go on foot.

8. When Yen Yüan died, the Master said, “Oh no! Heaven has brought me down! Heaven has brought me down!”

9. When Yen Yüan died, the Master was overwhelmed with grief.

His followers said, "Sir, you are giving in."

The Master said, "Am I backing down? If I wouldn’t give in for this man, then why would I yield to grief?"

10. When Yen Yüan died, the disciples wanted to give him a grand burial.

The Master said, "This can't happen."

The disciples gave him a grand burial.

The Master said, Hui treated me like a father. I haven't treated him like a son. No, not me; but you, my two or three boys.

11. Chi-lu[94] asked what is owed to the spirits of the deceased?

The Master said, When we can't fulfill our responsibilities to the living, how can we do so for the dead?

He had the courage to ask about death.

We don't know life, the Master said, so how can we know death?

[49]

12. Seeing the disciple Min standing next to him with a charming expression, Tzu-lu with a fierce demeanor, and Jan Yu and Tzu-kung being open and straightforward, the Master felt happy.

A man like Yu,[95] he said, dies before his time.

13. The people of Lu were constructing the Long Treasury.

Min Tzu-ch'ien said, "Wouldn't the old one work? Why does it need to be rebuilt?"

The Master said, That man doesn’t talk much, but when he does, he gets right to the point.

14. The Master said, What does the lute of Yu[96] have to do, playing at my door?

But when the disciples looked down on Tzu-lu, the Master said, "Yu has come into the hall, but he hasn't entered the inner rooms yet."

15. Tzu-kung asked, Which is better, Shih[97] or Shang[98]?

The Master said, "Shih goes too far, Shang doesn't go far enough."

Then is Shih the better? said Tzu-kung.

"Too far," said the Master, "is no closer than not far enough."

16. The Chi was wealthier than the Duke of Chou; yet Ch'iu[99] became his tax collector and made him even richer.

[50]

He is not one of my followers, said the Master. My little children, you can beat your drums and go to war against him.

17. Ch'ai[100] is straightforward, Shen[101] is boring, Shih[102] is sleek, Yu[103] is rough.

18. The Master said, Hui[104] is nearly perfect, and he often feels empty. Tz'u[105] won’t submit to orders, and he accumulates wealth; but his opinions are usually wise.

19. Tzu-chang asked, What is the path of a good person?

The Master said, He doesn’t follow the usual paths; and yet he doesn’t go into the inner rooms.

20. The Master said, Praise a man for being straightforward: he may turn out to be a true gentleman, or just someone who appears honest.

21. Tzu-lu asked, "Should I follow everything I'm taught?"

The Master said, While your father and older brothers are alive, how can you fully apply what you’ve been taught?

Jan Yu asked, "Should I do everything I'm taught?"

The Master said, Do everything you’ve been taught.

Kung-hsi Hua said, Yu[106] asked, "Should I do everything I'm taught?" and you said, "Sir, as long as your father and older brothers are alive." Ch'iu[107] asked, "Should I do everything I'm taught?" and you said, "Sir, do everything you are taught." I am uncertain and dare to ask you, Sir.

[51]

The Master said, "Ch'iu is shy, so I encouraged him; Yu is twice the man, so I restrained him."

22. When the Master was scared in K'uang, Yen Yüan lagged behind.

The Master said, I thought you were dead.

He replied, While my Master is alive, how could I even think about dying?

23. Chi Tzu-jan[108] asked if Chung Yu[109] or Jan Ch'iu[110] could be considered a great minister.

The Master said, "I thought you would ask me a riddle, Sir, but instead you ask about Yu[109] and Ch'iu.[110] The person who stays true to the Way while serving their lord and chooses to leave when they can’t do so is what we call a great minister. But as for Yu and Ch'iu, I would refer to them as tools."

Who are the followers then?

Nor would they follow, said the Master, if told to kill their leader or father.

24. Tzu-lu appointed Tzu-kao as the governor of Pi.

The Master said, "You are ruining a man's son."

Tzu-lu said, With the people and the spirits of the earth and corn, does a man need to read books to become knowledgeable?

The Master said, "This is why I can't stand someone who talks too easily."

25. The Master said to Tzu-lu, Tseng Hsi,[111] Jan Yu and Kung-hsi Hua as they sat beside him, I might be a day older than you, but forget that. You often say, I am unknown. Well, if you were known, what would you do?

[52]

Tzu-lu replied casually, "Give me a region with a thousand chariots, squeezed between powerful neighbors, invaded by armies, and plagued by hunger, and in three years, I could instill courage and a sense of purpose in it."

The Master grinned.

What would you do, Ch'iu[112]? he said.

He replied, "Give me land of sixty or seventy, or fifty or sixty square miles, and in three years I could provide the people with plenty. As for politeness and music, they would wait for a gentleman to arrive."

And what would you do, Ch'ih[113]?

He replied, I’m not talking about what I can do, but what I’d like to learn. At ceremonies in the Ancestral Temple, or at the Grand Audience, I’d like to play a small role.

And what would you do, Tien[114]?

Tien stopped playing, set aside his still-sounding lute, got up, and replied, "My choice would be different from the other three."

What’s wrong with that? said the Master. Everyone just spoke their mind.

In the late days of spring, dressed for the season, with five or six young men and six or seven boys, I would bathe in the Yi, feel the breeze in the Rain God’s glade, and return home singing.

The Master said with a sigh, "I agree with Tien."

Tseng Hsi stayed behind after the other three had left and asked, "What did you think, Sir, about what the three disciples said?"

[53]

Each one spoke his mind, said the Master.

Why did you smile at Yu,[115] Sir?

Lands are influenced by politeness, but what he said wasn’t humble. That’s why I smiled. But didn’t Ch'iu talk about a state? Where would you find sixty or seventy, or fifty or sixty, square miles that aren't part of a state? And didn’t Ch'ih also discuss a state? Who besides the major vassals is present in the Ancestral Temple or at the Grand Audience? But if Ch'ih were to settle for a small piece, who would occupy a larger one?

[54]

1. Yen Yüan asked, "What is love?"

The Master said, Love is about mastering yourself and showing kindness. If we could master ourselves and show kindness for just one day, everyone in the world would embrace love. Does love come from within, or does it come from others?

Yen Yüan asked, "What are its signs?"

The Master said, Always be polite with your eyes and polite with your ears; always be polite in your words and polite in your actions.

Yen Yüan said, "Even though I'm not very smart, I hope to live by these words."

2. Chung-kung asked, What is love?

The Master said, Be respectful at home as if a distinguished guest has arrived; treat others as if we are making an important offering; don’t do anything to others that we wouldn’t want them to do to us; avoid causing harm in the community and in the household.

Chung-kung said, "Even though I'm not very smart, I hope to live by these words."

3. Ssu-ma Niu[116] asked, What is love?

The Master said, Love takes its time to express itself.

To be slow to speak! Can that really be called love?

The Master said, Can something difficult to accomplish be taken lightly?

[55]

4. Ssu-ma Niu asked, What does it mean to be a gentleman?

The Master said, A true gentleman knows no sorrow or fear.

No sorrow and no fear! Can that be called a gentleman?

The Master said. He looks into his heart: it’s clear; so why should he be sad, what should he be afraid of?

5. Ssu-ma Niu cried sadly, "Everyone has brothers, but I have none!"

Tzu-hsia said, "I've heard that life and death are predetermined and that wealth and honors are in Heaven's hands. A gentleman is cautious and doesn't falter; he treats others with humility and courtesy. Everyone across the four seas is family; how can a gentleman complain that he has no one?"

6. Tzu-chang asked, What is insight?

The Master said, Not being swayed by gossip or by complaints that cut deep can be called insight. Yes, the person who isn't influenced by gossip or by complaints that hurt badly can be called far-sighted.

7. Tzu-kung asked, What is the art of ruling?

The Master said, Enough food, enough troops, and the people's trust.

Tzu-kung said, If it had to be done, which one of the three could be most easily spared?

Troops, said the Master.

And if we had to choose, which one could we afford to lose more easily, the other two? [56]

Food, the Master said. Since ancient times, all people die, but without trust, a community cannot survive.

8. Chi Tzu-ch'eng[117] said, It's the character that makes a gentleman; what can art do for him?

Alas! my lord, Tzu-kung said, how you talk about a gentleman! No team can catch the tongue! The skill is just as important as the material, and the material is just as important as the skill. Without the fur, a tiger's or leopard's hide is no better than a dog or goat's hide.

9. Duke Ai said to Yu Jo,[118] In this year of scarcity, I don't have enough to meet my needs; what should I do?

You could collect a tithe from the people, replied Yu Jo.

"A fifth isn't enough," said the Duke. "How could I manage with just a tenth?"

"When all his people have enough," Yu Jo replied, "should the lord be the only one who has enough? When none of his people have enough, can the lord really have enough?"

10. Tzu-chang asked how to uplift the mind and dispel illusions.

The Master said, Put loyalty and honesty first, and follow what’s right; your mind will be elevated. We wish for life for what we love and death for what we hate. To wish for both life and death is an illusion.

[57]

11. Ching,[119] Duke of Ch'i, asked Confucius, What is the art of ruling?

Confucius answered. For the ruler to be a ruler and the vassal, a vassal, the father to be a father and the son, a son.

"That's true!" said the Duke. "If the lord wasn't a lord and the vassal wasn't a vassal, the father wasn't a father and the son wasn't a son, even if the grain was there, could I get anything to eat?"

12. The Master said, To settle a disagreement with just half a word, that’s the guy.

Tzu-lu never went back on a promise.

13. The Master said, When it comes to hearing lawsuits, I’m no better than anyone else. What’s needed is to put an end to lawsuits.

14. Tzu-chang asked, what is kingcraft?

The Master said, "To be relentless in thought and dedicated in action."

15. The Master said, A wide range of reading and courteous relationships will help us avoid mistaken paths.

16. The Master said, A true gentleman cultivates the good in people, not the bad. The petty person does the opposite.

17. Chi K'ang[121] asked Confucius how to govern.

Confucius answered, "To govern is to lead properly. If you provide a clear direction, Sir, who would dare to go off course?"

[58]

18. Chi K'ang, worried about robbers, asked Confucius for advice.

Confucius replied, "If you didn't want it, Sir, even if you rewarded him, no one would steal."

19. Chi K'ang, discussing leadership with Confucius, said, To support those who follow the Way, should we eliminate those who don’t?

Confucius replied, "Sir, why does a ruler need to resort to killing? If you wanted goodness, Sir, the people would be good. The mind of a noble person is like the wind, while the minds of lesser individuals are like grass: as the wind blows, so the grass must bend."

20. Tzu-chang asked, What qualities does a knight need to be considered exceptional?

The Master said, What do you mean by eminence?

Tzu-chang replied, "To be well-known in the state and recognized in his own home."

That’s fame, not true greatness, said the Master. A truly great person is genuine and straightforward, and values what’s right. They choose their words carefully and pay attention to others; they make an effort to connect with people. Because of this, they’ll be respected in the community and in their family. The famous person puts on a façade of affection, but their actions tell a different story. Self-assured and without hesitation, fame will follow them in the community and at home.

21. While walking with the Master in the Rain God's glade, Fan Ch'ih asked him, "Can you tell me how to elevate the mind, correct wrongs, and eliminate mistakes?"

Well asked! said the Master. Put your work[59] above success; won't that elevate your mind? Focus on battling your own flaws, not those of others; won't that improve the evil in the world? On an angry morning, to forget both yourself and your family— isn't that a mistake?

22. Fan Ch'ih asked, What is love?

The Master said, "To love people."

He asked, "What is wisdom?"

The Master said, To understand people.

Fan Ch'ih didn't understand.

The Master said, Raise up the upright, set aside the dishonest, and dishonest people will become honest.

Fan Ch'ih stepped back and, noticing Tzu-hsia, said to him, "The Master saw me, and I asked him what wisdom is. He replied, 'Encourage the honest, set aside the dishonest, and dishonest people will become honest.' What did he mean?"

How profound that saying is! said Tzu-hsia. When Shun[122] had dominion over everything, he selected Kao-yao from the many, elevated him, and those who lacked compassion disappeared. When T'ang[123] had dominion over everything, he chose Yi-yin[124] [60]from the many, elevated him, and those who lacked compassion disappeared.

23. Tzu-kung asked about friends.

The Master said, Speak honestly to them and lead them wisely. If this isn’t working, stop. Don’t bring shame upon yourself.

24. Tseng-tzu said, A gentleman makes friends through shared interests and maintains love in those friendships.

[61]

1. Tzu-lu asked how to govern.

The Master said, Go ahead; put in the effort.

When he was asked to elaborate, he replied, Never give up.

2. When he was in charge of the Chi, Chung-kung asked how to govern.

The Master said, "Let leaders take action first; ignore minor mistakes, and encourage intelligence and value."

Chung-kung said, "How can I understand people's intelligence and value to elevate them?"

Lift up those you know, said the Master; and will other people pass by those you don't know?

3. Tzu-lu said, The lord of Wei[125] is waiting for you, Sir, to take charge. How will you start?

Surely, said the Master, by getting the names correct.

Indeed, Tzu-lu said, that's a stretch, Sir. Why fix them?

What a savage Yu[126] is! said the Master. A gentleman is at a loss for words when he doesn't understand. If names aren’t correct, words don’t fit. If words don’t fit, things go wrong. If things go wrong, neither courtesy nor music flourish. If courtesy and music don’t flourish, law and justice break down. And if law and justice break down, the people can't move a muscle. So a gentleman must be [62]ready to put names into speech and words into action. A gentleman is never careless with his words.

4. Fan Ch'ih asked to be taught farming.

The Master said, "An old farmer knows more than I do."

He wanted to learn gardening.

The Master said, "An experienced gardener knows more than I do."

After Fan Ch'ih left, the Master said, "What a small-minded person! If those in power value courtesy, no one will dare to disrespect them; if they value righteousness, no one will dare to go against them; if they value truth, no one will dare to conceal their feelings. Then, people from all over the world will come, carrying their children on their backs; and what need will there be for farming?"

5. The Master said, Even if a person has memorized three hundred poems, if he is helpless when it comes to governing, and if he can't speak for himself when sent out into the world, what good are those poems to him?

6. The Master said, A person with a strong moral character is listened to even before they speak; commands are ignored if their life is corrupt.

7. The Master said, The governments of Lu and Wei are like brothers.

8. Speaking of Ching from the ducal house of Wei, the Master said he was wise in his personal life. When he started saving money, he said, "This seems like enough." When he became more comfortable, he said, "This seems like plenty." When he got rich, he said, "This seems like splendor."

9. When Jan Yu was driving him to Wei, the Master said, "What numbers!"

Jan Yu said, "Now that we have the numbers, what's the next step?"

Wealth, the Master said.

And what comes after money?

"Teaching," said the Master.

10. The Master said, If I were hired for a year, a lot could be accomplished. In three years, everything would be completed.

11. The Master said, If good people were to govern a country for a hundred years, cruelty would be eliminated and executions would be ended. How true are these words!

12. The Master said, Even if a king were to rule, it would take a lifetime for love to truly emerge!

13. The Master said, What does it mean to govern someone who can't even control themselves? If they can't control themselves, how can they control others?

14. As the disciple Jan[127] returned from court, the Master asked him, "Why are you so late?"

I had state business, he replied.

"Household business," the Master said. "If it were a matter of state, even though I'm out of office, I would have heard about it."

15. Duke Ting asked, "Is there a saying that can bless a kingdom?"

[64]

Confucius replied, "That's more than just words can express. But people say, 'Being a ruler is tough, and being a minister isn't easy either.' If someone truly understood how difficult it is to be a ruler, couldn't this one saying nearly bring a kingdom good fortune?"

And is there anyone who says that can ruin a kingdom?

That’s more than words can express, Confucius replied. But there’s a saying that goes, “My only joy in being a leader is that no one challenges what I say.” Now, if what he says is good and no one challenges him, isn’t that a good thing? But if it’s not good and no one challenges him, couldn’t this one saying nearly destroy a kingdom?

16. The Duke of She asked, "What is the art of ruling?"

The Master replied, "For those close to us to be happy and for those far away to come."

17. When he was the governor of Chü-fu, Tzu-hsia asked about how to govern.

The Master said, Don't be in a rush; don't focus on small profits. Nothing done quickly is done well, and by chasing small gains, big things get overlooked.

18. The Duke of She told Confucius, "Among the honorable men of my family, if the father steals a sheep, his son testifies against him."

Confucius replied, "Our family’s integrity is different from that. The father protects his son and the son protects his father. There is integrity in this."

19. Fan Ch'ih asked, What is love?

The Master said, Be humble at home, dedicated at work, and loyal to everyone. Even among wild tribes, none of this should be forgotten.

20. Tzu-kung asked, What do we mean by knighthood?

The Master said, To be called a knight, a man must be modest in everything he does; if he's sent to the farthest corners of the earth, he must not dishonor his lord's commands.

Who's next, please?

He whom his clan calls a good son and his neighbors call humble.

Who’s coming next?

A man who keeps his promises and stays on track, a tough little guy, would probably be next.

And how are the government employees of today?

What! The weights and measures guys! said the Master. Are they really worth considering?

21. The Master said, Since I can't find balanced men, I have to rely on passionate and strict people. Passionate people move forward and tackle challenges, while strict individuals avoid certain tasks.

22. The Master said, The people from the south have a saying, 'Unless a man is grounded, he can be neither a wizard nor a healer.' This is true. 'His unsettled mind may bring him shame.'

The Master said, "Ignoring the signs, that's all."

23. The Master said, "Gentlemen come together, but they are not the same. Small-minded people are all the same, but each looks out for themselves."

24. Tzu-kung asked, If everyone in the countryside loved a man, what would that be like?[66]

It wouldn't be right, said the Master.

And what if the entire countryside hated him?

It wouldn’t be right, said the Master. It would be better if all the good people in the area loved him and all the bad people hated him.

25. The Master said, A gentleman is easy to serve and hard to satisfy. If we stray from the right path to make him happy, he remains unsatisfied; but his requests are reasonable for the person involved. A petty person is difficult to serve and easily pleased. Even if we deviate from the right path to please him, he is happy; but he demands too much from his people.

26. The Master said, A gentleman is principled, not arrogant; the petty person is arrogant, but lacks principles.

27. The Master said, Strength and courage, simplicity and humility are close to love.

28. Tzu-lu asked, When can someone be called a knight?

The Master said, Being sincere, supportive, and kind can be considered knighthood: sincere and supportive with his friends, and kind to his brothers.

29. The Master said, If a good person taught the people for seven years, they would be ready to take up arms as well.

30. The Master said, Taking untrained people to war is just wasteful.

[67]

1. Hsien[128] asked, What does it mean to feel shame?

The Master said, "Receiving a salary when the land follows the Way and receiving a salary when it has strayed from the Way is disgraceful."

2. To avoid conflict and boasting, malice and greed, would that be love?

The Master said, That might be tough to accomplish; but I'm not sure it's love.

3. The Master said, A knight who loves comfort isn't a true knight.

4. The Master said, As long as the country follows the right path, speak boldly and act boldly; when the country has strayed from the path, act boldly but speak gently.

5. The Master said, A thoughtful person can always have a conversation, but just because someone talks a lot doesn’t mean they’re thoughtful. Love is always courageous, but you can find courage even without love.

6. Nan-kung Kuo said to Confucius, Yi[129] was a great archer, and Ao moved a boat over land: both of them died young. Yü and Chi worked hard on their farms and had everything they needed.

The Master didn’t reply. But when Nan-kung Kuo had left, he said, What a gentleman he is! How he values the mind!

[68]

7. The Master said, Alas! there have been men of stature without love! But there has never been a small man who wasn't lacking in love.

8. The Master said, Can someone truly love you if they never challenge you? Can they be loyal if they never hold you accountable?

9. The Master said, The laws were drafted by P'i Shen, critiqued by Shih-shu, refined by the Foreign Minister Tzu-yü, and finalized by Tzu-ch'an of Tung-li.

10. When he was asked what he thought of Tzu-ch'an, the Master said, "A kind-hearted man."

Asked what he thought of Tzu-hsi, the Master said, "Him! What do I think of him!"

Asked what he thought of Kuan Chung,[130] the Master said, He was the guy who forced the Po to leave the town of Pien with its three hundred families to spend his final days eating plain rice, without saying a word.

11. The Master said, It's tough not to complain about being poor, but it’s easy not to be arrogant about being rich.

12. The Master said, Meng Kung-ch'o would be more than capable of being the steward of Chao or Wei, but he wouldn't be suitable as a minister of T'eng or Hsieh.

13. Tzu-lu asked what it means to be a complete man.

The Master said, the wisdom of Tsang Wu-chung, Kung-ch'o's absence of greed, Chuang of Pien's bravery, and the talent of Jan Ch'iu, combined with courtesy and music, could create a complete person.

But now, he said, who asks for a full-grown man? The one who, when faced with a profit, thinks about what's right, who risks his life when danger approaches, who, even though the commitment is old, doesn't forget what he's always been saying, could make a true man.

14. Speaking of Kung-shu Wen, the Master said to Kung-ming Chia, Is it true that your master doesn’t speak, laugh, or accept a gift?

Kung-ming Chia responded, "That's saying too much. My master only speaks when the time is right, so no one gets tired of his words; he only laughs when he's happy, so no one gets tired of his laughter; he only takes when it's appropriate to do so, so no one gets tired of his actions."

It might be true, said the Master; but is it really?

15. The Master said, When he held Fang and asked Lu to appoint an heir, even though Tsang Wu-chung claimed he wasn’t pressuring his lord, I don’t believe it.

16. The Master said, Duke Wen of Chin was thoughtful, but untrustworthy; Duke Huan of Ch'i was straightforward, but superficial.

17. Tzu-lu said, When Duke Huan killed the young Duke Chiu, and Shao Hu died with him, but Kuan Chung didn’t, wasn’t this a lack of love?[131]

[70]

The Master said, Duke Huan brought the powerful vassals together, not with war chariots, but through the influence of Kuan Chung. What more can love do? What more can love do?

18. Tzu-kung said, When Duke Huan killed the young Duke Chiu, and Kuan Chung couldn't face death and even became his minister, surely he showed a lack of love?

The Master said, By Kuan Chung helping Duke Huan to control the powerful vassals and unify everything under heaven, people have benefited from that day to now. Without Kuan Chung, our hair would hang down our backs, and our coats would button to the left; or would he have drowned in a ditch like the simpleton and his girl, keeping their promise, without anyone knowing?

19. Minister Hsien, who had been a steward to Kung-shu Wen, went to meet the Duke along with Wen.

When the Master heard about it, he said, "He is rightly called Wen (well-bred)."

20. The Master spoke about Duke Ling of Wei's disregard for the Way.

K'ang[132] said, "If that's the case, how does he avoid disaster?"

Confucius replied, "With Chung-shu Yü overseeing the guests, the reader T'o managing the Ancestral Temple, and Wang-sun Chia leading the troops, how could he possibly fail?"

21. The Master said, When words are bold, it's hard to make them right.

[71]

22. Ch'en Ch'eng killed Duke Chien.[133]

Confucius bathed, went to the court, and said to Duke Ai, "Ch'en Heng has killed his lord; please punish him."

The Duke said, "Tell the three chiefs."

Confucius said, “As I follow in the footsteps of the ministers, I felt I couldn’t leave this unmentioned; but the lord says, ‘Tell the three chiefs.’”

He informed the three leaders. It made no difference.

Confucius said, "As I follow the ministers, I couldn't stay silent about this."

23. Tzu-lu asked how to serve a leader.

The Master said, Never deceive him; confront him.

24. The Master said, A gentleman's life rises higher; the small man's life goes lower.

25. The Master said, People in the past learned for their own benefit; nowadays, people learn to impress others.

26. Ch'ü Po-yü sent someone to Confucius.

As they sat together, Confucius asked him, "What does your teacher do?"

He replied, "My master wants to reduce his mistakes, but he can't."

When the messenger had left, the Master said, "What a messenger, what a messenger indeed!"

27. The Master said, When you're not at work, don't talk about politics.

[72]

28. Tseng-tzu said, Even in his thoughts, a gentleman knows his boundaries.

29. The Master said, A gentleman is careful with his words: his actions speak louder.

30. The Master said, In the path of a gentleman, there are three things I cannot attain. Love is never anxious; wisdom has no uncertainties; courage is fearless.

That’s what you say, Sir, said Tzu-kung.

31. Tzu-kung would compare this man to that one.

The Master said, "What a talent Tz'u has! But I don't have time for this right now."

32. The Master said, Don’t be sad about being unnoticed; be sad about your own shortcomings.

33. The Master said, Not expecting to be cheated or looking for deceit, and yet recognizing it when it appears, demonstrates a man's value.

34. Wei-sheng Mou said to Confucius, "How do you still find places to settle, Ch'iu, unless it's by smooth-talking your way through?"

Confucius replied, I’m not one to speak thoughtlessly; however, I really dislike stubbornness.

35. The Master said, A horse isn't valued for its strength, but for its spirit.

36. One said, How can we repay good with evil?

And how do you define good? said the Master. Face evil with justice; face good with good.

37. The Master said, Alas! no one understands me! Tzu-kung asked, Why do you say that, Sir, that no one understands you?[73]

The Master said, Never complaining about Heaven, nor blaming people; learning from the lowest, aiming for the highest. I am known only to one, but to Heaven.

38. Liao, the duke's uncle, spoke badly about Tzu-lu to Chi-sun.[134]

Tzu-fu Ching-po said to Confucius, "My master is clearly being misled by the duke's uncle, but I still have the strength to reveal his true self in the marketplace."

The Master said, If the Way is to be maintained, that’s the Command, and if the Way is to be lost, this is the Command. What can the duke's uncle do against the Command?

39. The Master said, Worthy men avoid the world; the second best avoid the land. Then come those who leave at a glance, followed by those who leave at words.

40. The Master said, Seven men did that.

41. Tzu-lu stayed the night at Shih-men.

The gatekeeper asked him, "Where are you coming from?"

From Confucius, Tzu-lu replied.

"The man who knows it's no good but still has to keep doing it?" said the gatekeeper.

42. When the Master was ringing his sounding stones in Wei, a basket-bearer remarked as he walked by the door, "The heart is full that rings those stones!" But then he added, "What a shame! What a tinkling sound! If no one knows you, stop!"

[74]

The Master said, Where there's a will, it's not hard at all.

43. Tzu-chang asked, What does the Book mean when it says that Kao-tsung[135] didn’t speak for three years while in his mourning shed?

Why choose Kao-tsung? said the Master. The men of the past were all like this. For three years after their lord passed away, the hundred officers each did their duty and listened to the chief minister.

44. The Master said, When those in power value respect, it's easier for the people to follow.

45. Tzu-lu asked, What defines a gentleman?

The Master said, "Focus on becoming better."

Is that it? said Tzu-lu.

By improving ourselves to create peace for everyone.

Is that everything?

By working to improve ourselves to create peace for everyone, said the Master. Even Yao and Shun were continuing their efforts to become better, and thus bring peace to all.

46. Yuan Jang waited for the Master while squatting.

Unruly when young, unnoticed as a man, enduring in old age, spells useless! said the Master, and he tapped him on the leg with his staff.

47. When a guy from the village of Ch'üeh was chosen as the messenger, someone asked, "Is it because he’s doing a good job?"

The Master said, I have seen him sitting in a man's seat and walking alongside his elders. He doesn't try to do well; he just wants to grow up fast.

[75]

1. Duke Ling of Wei asked Confucius about the strategy for war.

Confucius replied. Regarding the ritual of dish and platter[136] I know a bit about it: I have not studied warfare.

He left the next day.

In Ch'en, the grain ran out. His followers were too sick to get up. Tzu-lu made it clear that he was frustrated.

"Does a gentleman also have to face need?" he said.

"Men definitely have to deal with hardship," said the Master. "The little guy, when he's struggling, goes overboard."

2. The Master said, Tz'u,[137] don't you see me as someone who's learned a lot and reflected on it?

Yeah, he replied: isn’t it?

No, said the Master. I combine everything into one.

3. The Master said, Yu,[138] how few people understand what it means to be truly generous!

4. The Master said, To govern by doing nothing is what Shun did. Because really, what is there to do? Self-respect and putting on a front to lead is all that matters.

5. Tzu-chang asked how to move forward.

The Master said, Be honest and speak the truth, be simple and humble in your actions; you will succeed even in difficult places. If your words aren’t honest and true, and your actions aren’t simple and humble, can you really succeed even in your own town? Standing, look at these words laid out before you; while working, see them written on the yoke. Then you will succeed.

Tzu-chang wrote them on his belt.

6. The Master said, Yü the historian was truly straightforward! He was like an arrow when the country followed the right path; and like an arrow when it went off course! What a gentleman Ch'ü Po-yü was! While the country was on the right path, he accepted the position, and when it went astray, he withdrew into deep thought.

7. The Master said, Not talking to someone who can listen is to waste that person's potential. Talking to someone who can't listen is to waste your words. Wisdom doesn’t waste people or words.

8. The Master said, A strong will, or a loving heart, won't pursue life at the expense of love. To fulfill love, they would sacrifice their body.

9. Tzu-kung asked how to achieve love.

The Master said, A worker focused on doing great work must first sharpen his tools. In your homeland, serve those who are worthy among the great and befriend kind-hearted knights.

10. Yen Yüan asked how to govern a kingdom.

The Master said, Stick to the Hsia seasons, ride in the Yin chariot, wear the Chou headdress, and listen to the Shao music and its dance. Get rid of the Cheng tunes and avoid slick talkers; the Cheng tunes are inappropriate and smooth talkers can be risky.[77]

11. The Master said, If you don’t think about the distant issues, you’ll have problems right in front of you.

12. The Master said, "It’s all over! I haven’t met anyone who loves the mind as much as he loves appearance!"

13. The Master said, Didn’t Tsang Wen steal his position? He knew the value of Liu-hsia Hui,[139] and didn’t support him.

14. The Master said, By demanding a lot from yourself and little from others, negativity is eliminated.

15. The Master said, Unless someone asks, "Would this work? Would that work?" I can’t help him.

16. The Master said, When there's no discussion about what's right all day long, and clever tricks are approved, the group is in a tough situation.

17. The Master said, Integrity is what a true gentleman is made of. Conducted with respect, expressed with humility, and filled with honesty, integrity shapes a gentleman.

18. The Master said, A gentleman is bothered by his flaws; being unnoticed doesn’t bother him.

19. The Master said, A gentleman worries that his name will fade away and be forgotten after he dies.

[78]

20. The Master said, A true gentleman holds himself accountable, while a petty person blames others.

21. The Master said, A gentleman is steady, not combative; a friend, not a supporter.

22. The Master said, A gentleman doesn’t promote someone just for their words, nor dismiss their words because of who they are.

23. Tzu-kung asked, Is there a single word we can follow for the rest of our lives?

The Master said, Empathy, maybe. Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to you.

24. The Master said, Among the men I meet, who do I criticize, and who do I praise excessively? Or, if I do praise them too much, it’s only after I’ve put them to the test. It was because of these people that the three lines of kings followed the right path.

25. The Master said, I still know historians who would leave gaps in their text, and people who would lend their horse to someone else to ride. But that isn't the case anymore.

26. The Master said, Clever words confuse the mind; small impatience disrupts major plans.

27. The Master said, We need to examine the hatred of the many; we need to examine the love of the many.

28. The Master said, A person can elevate the Way; it is not the Way that elevates the person.

29. The Master said, The mistake is to hold on to a mistake.

30. The Master said, I have spent entire days[79] without eating and whole nights without sleeping, just thinking, and gained nothing from it. Learning is much better.

31. The Master said, A gentleman focuses on the Way; he doesn’t worry about food. Plant, and hunger might come; learn, and rewards may follow; but a gentleman worries about the Way; being poor doesn’t trouble him.

32. The Master said, Wisdom gained will be lost again unless love keeps it secure. Having wisdom and love for retention, but lacking dignity, won’t earn respect among people. Gaining wisdom, holding it with love, and having dignity, but without polite behavior, still isn't sufficient.

33. The Master said, A gentleman doesn't have limited knowledge; he can achieve great things. The small-minded person can't accomplish anything significant, but he might be knowledgeable about minor topics.

34. The Master said, Love means more to people than fire and water. I have seen men die from fire and water: I have never seen anyone die because of love.

35. The Master said, When love is on the line, don't back down even against an army.

36. The Master said, A gentleman is steady, not unchanging.

37. The Master said, A servant of the king takes pride in his work and prioritizes it over food.

38. The Master said, Learning has no boundaries.

39. The Master said, Don't get involved in plans with someone whose path isn't yours.[80]

40. The Master said, The main goal of speaking is to be understood.

41. When he saw the music teacher Mien, the Master said as they reached the steps, "Here are the steps." Upon arriving at the mat, he said, "Here is the mat." Once everyone was seated, the Master told him, "He and he are here."

After the music teacher left, Tzu-chang said, Is this how you talk to a music teacher?

The Master said, Surely it is the way to assist a music teacher.[140]

[81]

1. The Chi was about to go to war with Chuan-yü.[141]

When Confucius saw Jan Yu and Chi-lu,[142] they told him, "The Chi is going to handle Chuan-yü."

Confucius said, After all, Ch'iu,[143] aren't you in the wrong? The kings of old made Chuan-yü the lord of Tung Meng.[144] Moreover, since Chuan-yü is within our borders, it is the protector of the spirits of the earth and corn of our land; so how can you wage war against it?

Jan Yu said, "Our master wants it. Tzu-lu and I, his two ministers, do not want it."

Confucius said, "Ch'iu, Chou Jen used to say, 'The person who can step up takes their place in line; the one who can't steps back.' Who would choose to help someone who isn't dependable in danger or unhelpful when things go wrong? Also, what you’re saying is incorrect. If a tiger or a buffalo escapes from its pen, or if a piece of tortoiseshell or jade is damaged in its case, who is at fault?"

Jan Yu said, "But Chuan-yü is now powerful, and it’s close to Pi[145]; if we don’t take it now, in the days to come, it will cause trouble for our sons and grandsons."

Ch'iu, Confucius said, instead of saying 'I want it,' a gentleman dislikes having to plead that he absolutely must. I've heard that having fewer people doesn’t bother a king or a leader, but having different circumstances does. Poverty doesn’t trouble him, but a lack of peace does. Because if wealth were distributed evenly, no one would be poor. Harmony creates balance; peace prevents chaos. So, if distant tribes refuse to submit, bring them in by inspiring them through ideas and culture, and when they arrive, offer them peace. But now, when distant tribes won’t submit, you two, advisors to your lord, can’t bring them in. The kingdom is divided and crumbling, and you can’t save it. Yet here in our own land, you’re plotting to brandish weapons! I fear the sorrows of Chi's grandsons won’t manifest in Chuan-yü; they will arise within the palace walls.

2. Confucius said, When the Way is followed in the world, respect, music, and military actions come from the ruler. When the Way is ignored in the world, respect, music, and military actions come from the powerful nobles. When these actions are driven by the nobles, they usually don’t last for ten generations. When they come from the high-ranking officials, they usually don’t last for five generations. When the lower ranks control the country’s fate, it rarely lasts for three generations. When the Way is followed in the world, power doesn’t rest with the high-ranking officials. When the Way is followed in the world, ordinary people don’t argue.[83]

3. Confucius said, For five generations, the income has come from the ducal house;[146] for four generations, power has been held by the great ministers: and as a result, the sons and grandsons of the three Huan have been humbled.

4. Confucius said, There are three types of friends who support us, and three who bring us harm. The friends who support us are a loyal friend, an honest friend, and a knowledgeable friend. The friends who harm us are deceitful friends, friends who flatter us, and friends who speak too smoothly.

5. Confucius said, There are three pleasures that benefit us, and three that hurt us. The ones that benefit us are the pleasure of studying good art and music, the pleasure of talking about the good in people, and the pleasure of having many worthy friends. The ones that hurt us are prideful pleasures, the pleasure of wandering aimlessly, and the pleasure of indulgent feasting.

6. Confucius said: Men who serve rulers make three mistakes. Speaking before the right time is reckless. Not speaking when the right time arrives is being secretive. Speaking without considering people's reactions is being blind.

7. Confucius said, A gentleman has three things to watch out for.

In your youth, before your strength is stable, be careful of lust. When you reach adulthood and are at your strongest, be cautious of conflict. In old age, when your strength is diminished, watch out for greed.

8. Confucius said, A gentleman respects three things [84]. He respects the Will of Heaven; he respects great people; and he respects the teachings of the sacred.

The little man doesn’t understand the will of Heaven and doesn't respect it. He is disrespectful toward those in power; he mocks the words of holy men.

9. Confucius said, The wisest people are born that way. Next are those who gain wisdom through learning; then come those who acquire wisdom through hard work. Those who don’t learn from effort are the least among the people.

10. Confucius said, A gentleman has nine goals: to see clearly; to understand what he hears; to be warm in demeanor, dignified in presence, honest in speech, diligent in work; to ask when he’s unsure; to think about challenges when angry; and to consider what’s right when faced with a benefit.

11. Confucius said, When you see good, feel a strong desire for it; when you see evil, treat it as if it's burning to the touch: I've seen men like that, I've heard words like those.

To live separately and discover your purpose; to find your path by doing what’s right: I’ve heard these words, but I haven’t seen anyone like that.

12. Ching, Duke of Ch'i, owned a thousand teams of horses; however, when he died, people had nothing good to say about him. Po-yi[147] and Shu-ch'i[148] starved at the foot of Shou-yang, and even now, people still honor them.

Isn't this the clue to that?

[85]

13. Ch'en K'ang[149] asked Po-yü,[150] "Have you heard anything else, Sir?"

He replied, No: one time when my father was standing alone and I rushed across the hall, he asked me, Are you learning poetry? I said, No. He told me that anyone who doesn’t learn poetry doesn’t have a grip on words. I then stepped back and learned poetry.

Another day, when he was standing alone again and I hurried across the hall, he asked me, "Are you learning manners?" I replied, "No." He said, "If you don’t learn manners, you have no foundation." I walked away and learned manners. These are the two things I have heard.

Ch'en K'ang stepped back and exclaimed happily, "I asked for one thing, and I got three! I hear about poetry; I hear about courtesy; and I also hear that a gentleman keeps his distance from his son."

14. A king refers to his wife as 'my wife.' She refers to herself as 'handmaid.' Her subjects call her 'our lord's wife,' but when talking to outsiders, they say 'our little queen.' Outsiders also refer to her as 'the lord's wife.'

[86]

1. Yang Huo[151] wanted to meet Confucius. Confucius didn’t go to see him. Instead, he sent Confucius a suckling pig. Confucius picked a time when he was away and went to thank him. They ran into each other on the road.

He said to Confucius, "Come, let’s talk together. Is it really love to treasure a gem and ruin the kingdom?"

It can't, said Confucius.

To love the office and keep losing track of time over and over, can that really be considered wisdom?

It can’t, said Confucius.

The days and months pass; the years don’t wait for us.

True, said Confucius; I have to take office.

2. The Master said, Men are naturally close to each other; it's the lives they lead that separate them.

3. The Master said, Only the smartest and the dumbest people never change.

4. As the Master arrived in Wu-ch'eng[152], he heard the sounds of a lute and singing.

"Why use an ox-knife to kill a chicken?" asked the Master with a satisfied smile.

Tzu-yu replied, Master, I once heard you say, A gentleman who understands the Way loves others; common people who understand the Way are easy to lead.

[87]

My two or three boys, said the Master, what Yen[153] says is true. I spoke earlier in jest.

5. Kung-shan Fu-jao[154] detained Pi in rebellion. He summoned the Master, who wanted to leave.

Tzu-lu said, unhappy, “This can’t be! Why do you have to go to Kung-shan?”

The Master said, He calls me, and is that all there is? Can I not turn an Eastern Chou[155] into someone who uses me?

6. Tzu-chang asked Confucius what love is.

Confucius said, Love means providing five things to everyone under heaven.

May I ask what they are?

Modesty and generosity, said Confucius: honesty, seriousness, and kindness. Modesty avoids insults; generosity attracts many; honesty earns people's trust; seriousness leads to success; and kindness is enough to motivate people.

7. Pi Hsi called the Master, who wanted to go.

Tzu-lu said, Master, I heard you say once, To men whose own life is wicked, no gentleman will go. Pi Hsi is in rebellion against Chung-mou; how could you go to him, Sir?

Yes, I said that, replied the Master. But isn’t there something that seems hard that can’t be ground down? Something white that won’t turn black if steeped? And am I just a gourd? Can I hang around without eating?

[88]

8. The Master said, "Have you heard the six words, Yu,[156] and the six they relate to?"

He replied. No.

Sit down, and I’ll tell you. The desire for love, without a love for learning, leads to ignorance. A passion for knowledge, without a love for learning, becomes vanity. A love for truth, without a love for learning, turns into cruelty. A love for fairness, without a love for learning, leads to rudeness. A love for boldness, without a love for learning, results in chaos. A love for strength, without a love for learning, becomes strange.

9. The Master said, "My little children, why don't you learn poetry? Poetry would help you grow; teach you understanding, kindness, and patience; show you how to serve your father at home; and teach you how to serve your lord abroad; and it would teach you the names of many birds and animals, plants, and trees."

10. The Master said to Po-yü,[157] Have you completed the Chou-nan and Shao-nan?[158] Someone who has not completed the Chou-nan and Shao-nan is like a person facing a wall.

11. The Master said, 'Politeness, politeness,' is what everyone says; but are jade and silk all there is to politeness? 'Music, music,' is what everyone says; but are bells and drums all there is to music?

12. The Master said, Intimidating appearances with hidden weakness are like a petty person, like a thief who breaks in or climbs over a wall.

[89]

13. The Master said, The ordinary person is the downfall of the mind.

14. The Master said, Sharing everything we hear on the journey with the world is a waste of our thoughts.

15. The Master said, How can we serve the king with a petty person, who is eager to grab what he desires and scared to lose what he has? This fear of losing what he has could take him anywhere.

16. The Master said, In the past, men had three shortcomings that may have faded away today. Ambitious men back then lacked integrity; now they are unscrupulous. Stern men used to be tough; now they are argumentative. Ignorant men were straightforward; now they are deceptive. That’s all.

17. The Master said, Flattering words and sweet smiles are rarely seen alongside true love.

18. The Master said, I dislike the replacement of scarlet with purple. I dislike the sounds of Cheng, which ruin beautiful music. I dislike a sharp tongue, the downfall of both kingdom and home.

19. The Master said, “I wish nobody would say a word!”

Tzu-kung said, "Sir, if you said nothing, what could your little children write?"

The Master said, What does Heaven say? The four seasons change, and everything thrives. What does Heaven say?

20. Ju Pei wanted to see Confucius. Confucius claimed he was sick; however, as the messenger was leaving his door, he picked up a lute and sang, so the messenger could hear. [90]

21. Tsai Wo[159] asked about mourning for three years. He believed that one year was sufficient.

If guys ignore politeness for three years, politeness will take a hit. If they ignore music for three years, music will fade away. The old crops are replaced by new ones, and the cycle of gathering firewood wraps up in just one year.

The Master said, Eating rice and dressed in fine silk, could you really be at peace?

I can, he replied.

Then do what gives you peace. But a gentleman, when he’s grieving, has no desire for sweets and no interest in music; he can't find comfort in his home. So he gives those things up. Now, they give you peace; so hold on to them.

After Tsai Wo left, the Master said, Yü's[160] lack of love! At the age of three, a child first steps away from the arms of their parents, and mourning lasts for three years all over the world. But did Yü experience the love of his parents for those three years?

22. The Master said, It's really tough when a guy just eats all day and has nothing to engage his mind! Can't he at least play checkers? That's better than nothing.

23. Tzu-lu asked, Do gentlemen respect boldness?

They put it all higher, said the Master. With boldness and a lack of integrity, gentlemen become rebels, and petty men turn into thieves.

24. Tzu-kung asked, Do gentlemen hate as well?

[91]

They do, said the Master. They dislike the echo of wrongdoing; they dislike men of low status who speak ill of those above them; they dislike boldness without respect; they dislike men who are tough and brave but oblivious.

And Tz'u,[161] he said, do you hate too?

I can't stand those who mistake spying for wisdom, who confuse rudeness with bravery, and who think gossiping is the same as being honest.

25. The Master said, Only maids and servants are tough to train. If we get close to them, they become rowdy; if we keep our distance, they become resentful.

26. The Master said, When a man reaches forty and is disliked, he will remain that way for life.

[92]

1. The lord of Wei[162] left, the lord of Chi[163] was turned into a slave, Pi-kan[164] spoke up and lost his life.

Confucius said, three of the Yin had love.

2. While Liu-hsia Hui[165] was Chief Knight[166], he was removed from his position three times.

Men said, "Is it not time to leave yet, sir?"

He replied, "If I treat people honestly, where can I go without being sent away three times? If I’m supposed to treat people dishonestly, why should I leave my parents' land?"

3. When it comes to how to treat Confucius, Ching, Duke of Ch'i, said, I can't treat him like I do the Chi. I place him between Chi and Meng.

I’m old, he said; I can’t make use of him.

Confucius departed.

4. The men of Ch'i[167] sent a gift of musical performers. Chi Huan accepted them, and for three days there were no court sessions.

Confucius has left.

[93]

5. Chieh-yü, the wild guy from Ch'u, sang as he walked by Confucius,

Confucius got off, wanting to talk to him, but he quickly left, and they couldn’t have that conversation.

6. Ch'ang-chü and Chieh-ni were working in the fields. As Confucius walked by, he sent Tzu-lu to ask for the crossing.

Ch'ang-chü said, "Who is that holding the reins?"

He is K'ung Ch'iu, Tzu-lu said.

Is he K'ung Ch'iu from Lu?

Yep, said Tzu-lu.

He knows the crossing, said Ch'ang-chü.

Tzu-lu asked Chieh-ni.

Who are you, Sir? he replied.

I’m Chung Yu.

The follower of Confucius from Lu?