The Master said, “If someone seems sincere and serious in their conversation, does this mean they are a gentleman? Or have they merely adopted the appearance of the gentleman?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, The person skilled in argumentation—is he a true gentleman? Or merely an impressive showman?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
The Master said, “Those of my disciples who were first to enter into study of ritual and music with me were simple rustics, whereas those who entered later were aristocrats. If I had to employ them [in public office], I would prefer the first.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, Older people, when it comes to rites and music, are mere rustics. Younger people, in matters of rites and music, are true gentlemen. But when it comes to usage, I follow the older people.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
The gentleman did not use reddish-black or maroon for the trim of his garment, nor did he use red or purple for his informal dress.
In the summer, he wore a single layer of linen or hemp but always put on an outer garment before going out.
With a black upper garment he would wear a lambskin robe; with a white upper garment he would wear a fawn-skin robe; and with a yellow upper garment he would wear a fox-fur robe.
His informal fur robe was long, but the right sleeve was short. He required that his nightgown be knee-length.
He wore thick fox and badger furs when at home. Except when he was in mourning, he never went anywhere without having all of his sash ornaments properly displayed.
With the exception of his one-piece ceremonial skirts, his lower garments were always cut and hemmed. He did not wear [black] lambskin robes or dark caps on condolence visits. On the day of the “Auspicious Moon,” he would always put on his [black] court attire and present himself at court.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The gentleman did not wear dark purple or puce trimmings on his garments or informal clothes of red or purple. In hot weather, he wore a single garment of fine or coarse kudzu fiber but always put on an outer garment when he went out. With a black robe, he wore black lambskin; with a white robe, white deerskin; and with a yellow robe, yellow fox fur. With informal dress, he wore fur of ordinary length, but with the right sleeve cut somewhat shorter. He always wore a sleeping robe one and a half times his body length. He used thick fox or badger fur for his sitting mat. When not in mourning, he wore any sort of belt ornament. With the exception of ceremonial skirts, his lower garments were always fitted at the waist. He did not wear black lambskin or a black silk hat on visits of condolence. On the first day of the month, he invariably put on court vestments and attended court.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
The Master expressed a desire to go and live among the Nine Yi Barbarian tribes. Someone asked him, “How could you bear their uncouthness?”
The Master replied, “If a gentleman were to dwell among them, what uncouthness would there be?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master wished to go live among the nine foreign tribes. Someone said, But they are so crude! The Master said, If a gentleman lives among them, how can they be crude?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
The Prime Minister asked Zigong, “Your Master is a sage, is he not? How is it, then, that he is skilled at so many menial tasks?”
Zigong replied, “Surely Heaven not only not intends him for sagehood, but also gave him many other talents.”
When the Master heard of this, he remarked, “How well the Prime Minister knows me! In my youth, I was of humble status, so I became proficient in many menial tasks. Is the gentleman broadly skilled in trivial matters? No, he is not.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The prime minister questioned Zigong, saying, The Master—is he a sage? He has so many capabilities!
Zigong said, Indeed, Heaven has opened the way for him to become a sage. And he has many capabilities besides.
When the Master heard this, he said, The prime minister knows me well. When I was young, I was in humble circumstances and hence became capable in many menial undertakings. But is the true gentleman a person of many capabilities? Surely, he is not!
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Master Zeng said, “Consider someone who can both be entrusted with the care of a young orphan and charged with the command a hundred-square-li state, and who can be confronted with great challenges without being shaken. Is this not the gentleman? Yes, this is the gentleman.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Master Zeng said, Trust him as guardian to a six-foot orphan, charge him with the command of a hundred-league domain, he will preside over the most critical occasions and can never be diverted from his course. This is the gentleman, is it not? This is the gentleman.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Master Zeng was gravely ill, and Meng Jingzi came to inquire about his health.
Master Zeng said to him, “When a bird is about to die, its call is mournful and touching. When a person is about to die, his words should be heeded. There are three things that are important for a gentleman pursuing the Way: by altering his behavioral demeanor, he avoids violence and arrogance; by rectifying his countenance, he welcomes trustworthiness; and in his choice of words and tone of voice, he avoids vulgarity and impropriety. As for the details of handling sacrificial vessels, there are minor officials to deal with that.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
When Master Zeng was ill, Meng Jing Zi asked how he was.
Master Zeng spoke these words: When a bird is about to die, its cries are sad. When a man is about to die, his words are good. With regard to the Way, there are three things the gentleman prizes: in his actions and manner, that he be far from harshness or arrogance; in ordering his appearance, that he stick close to trustworthiness; in his utterances, that they be far from crude or unseemly. As for the sacrificial baskets and stands, there are experts to tend to such matters.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
The Master said, “If you are respectful but lack ritual you will become exasperating; if you are careful but lack ritual you will become timid; if you are courageous but lack ritual you will become unruly; and if you are upright but lack ritual you will become inflexible.
“If the gentleman is kind to his relatives, the common people will be inspired toward goodness; if he does not neglect his old acquaintances, the people will honor their obligations to others.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, Courtesy without ritual becomes labored; caution without ritual becomes timidity; daring without ritual becomes riotousness; directness without ritual becomes obtrusiveness.
If the gentleman treats those close to him with generosity, the common people will be moved to humaneness. If he does not forget his old associates, the common people will shun cold-heartedness.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
