The Master said, “With regard to the world, the gentleman has no predispositions for or against any person. He merely associates with those he considers right.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, With regard to worldly affairs, the gentleman has no strong likes and no strong dislikes – he sides with what is right.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
The Master said, “Wealth and social eminence are things that all people desire, and yet unless they are acquired in the proper way I will not abide them. Poverty and disgrace are things that all people hate, and yet unless they are avoided in the proper way I will not despise them.
“If the gentleman abandons Goodness, how can he merit the name? The gentleman does not go against Goodness even for the amount of time required to finish a meal. Even in times of urgency or distress, he necessarily accords with it.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, Wealth and eminence are what people desire, but if one can’t get them by means that accord with the Way, one will not accept them. Poverty and low position are what people hate, but if one can’t avoid them by means that accord with the Way, one will not reject them.
If the gentleman rejects humaneness, how can he be worthy of the name of gentleman? The gentleman never departs from humanness even fort he space of a meal – in confusion and distress he holds fast to it; stumbling, faltering, he holds fast to it.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
A border official from the town of Yi requested an audience with the Master, saying, “I have never failed to obtain an audience with the gentlemen who have passed this way.” Confucius’ followers thereupon presented him.
After emerging from the audience, the border official remarked, “You disciples, why should you be concerned about your master’s loss of office? The world has been without the Way for a long time now, and Heaven intends to use your Master like the wooden clapper for a bell.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The border guard of Yi requested an interview with Confucius, saying, When gentlemen pass this way, I never fail to have an interview with them.
The Master’s followers arranged a meeting. When the border guard emerged from the interview, he said, You young men should not worry about your present bad luck. For a long time now the world has been without the Way. Heaven is going to use your Master as a wooden-clappered bell.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Duke Ding asked, “How should a lord employ his ministers? How should a minister serve his lord?”
Confucius replied, “A lord should employ his minsters with ritual, and ministers should serve their lord with dutifulness.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Duke Ding asked how the ruler should treat his ministers and how the ministers should serve the ruler. Confucius replied, The ruler should treat his ministers in accordance with ritual. The minsters should serve the ruler with loyalty.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
The Master said, “Surely archery can serve as an illustration of the fact that the gentleman does not compete! Before mounting the stairs to the archery hall, gentlemen bow and defer to one another, and after descending from the hall they mutually offer up toasts. This is how a gentleman ‘competes.'”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, The gentleman never strives with others. To be sure, there are the archery matches. But even they have their bows and deferences as the contestants go up and come down, and the wine drinking at the end. Such is the “striving” of the gentleman.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Master You said, “A young person who is filial and respectful of his elders rarely becomes the kind of person who is inclined to defy his superiors, and there has never been a case of one who is disinclined to defy his superiors stirring up rebellion. The gentleman applies himself to the roots. ‘Once the roots are firmly established, the Way will grow.’ Might we not say that filial piety and respect for elders constitute the root of Goodness?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Master You said, A man filial to his parents, a good brother, yet apt to go against his superiors – few are like that! The man who doesn’t like to go against his superiors but likes to plot rebellion – no such kind exists! The gentleman operates at the root. When the root is firm, then the Way may proceed. Filial and brotherly conduct – these are the root of humaneness, are they not?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
The Master said, “To learn and then have occasion to practice what you have learned – is this not satisfying? To have friends arrive from afar – is this not a joy? To be patient even when others do not understand – is this nto the mark of the gentleman?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, Studying, and from time to time going over what you’ve learned – that’s enjoyable, isn’t it? To have a friend come from a long way off – that’s a pleasure, isn’t it? Others don’t understand him, but he doesn’t resent it – that’s the true gentleman, isn’t it?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
