The Master asked him, “Have you managed to find any worthy people there?”
Ziyou answered, “There is one named Tantai Mieming. He does not take shortcuts when conducting business, and I have never seen him in my chamber except upon official business.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Ziyou was made steward of Wucheng. The Master said, Have you come upon any good men?
Ziyou said, There’s Tantai Mieming. He doesn’t take any shortcuts, and he never comes to my room unless it is on official business.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Zizhang said, “Prime Minister Ziwen was given three times the post of prime minister, and yet he never showed a sign of pleasure; he was removed from this office three times, and yet never showed a sign of resentment. When the incoming prime minister took over, he invariably provided him with a complete account of the official state of affairs. What do you make of Prime Minister Ziwen?”
The Master said, “He certainly was dutiful.”
“Was he not Good?”
“I do not know about that—what makes you think he deserves to be called Good?”
“When Cuizi assassinated the Lord of Qi, Chen Wenzi—whose estate amounted to ten teams of horses—abandoned all that he possessed and left the state. Upon reaching another state, he said, ‘The officials here are as bad as our Great Officer Cuizi,’ and thereupon left that state. Again, after going to another state, he said, ‘The officials here are as bad as our Great Officer Cuizi,’ and thereupon left that state as well. What do you make of Chen Wenzi?”
The Master said, “He certainly was pure.”
“Was he not Good?”
“I do not know about that—what makes you think he deserves to be called Good?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Zizhang asked, saying, Ziwen, the prime minister of Chu, served three times as prime minister but showed no sign of delight, and three times was dismissed from the post but showed no sign of resentment. As former prime minister, he invariably reported to the new prime minister on affairs of state. What do you think of this?
The Master said, He acted with loyalty.
Was he humane?
I don’t know how he can be called humane.
Cui Zi assassinated the ruler of Qi. Chen Wen Zi, who for his carriages owned ten four-horse teams, abandoned them and left the state. When he arrived in another state, he said, The people here are no better than our high official Cui Zi! and he left that state. Arriving in another state, he said, More like our high official Cui Zi! and he left that state, too. What would you say of him?
The Master said, A man of integrity.
Was he humane?
I don’t know how he can be called humane.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
The Master said, “Do not be concerned that you lack an official position, but rather concern yourself with the means by which you might become established. Do not be concerned that no one has heard of you, but rather strive to become a person worthy of being known.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, Don’t worry that you have no position – worry about how you can qualify for one. Don’t worry that people don’t know you – look for some reason to become known.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
The Master said, “A scholar-official who has set his heart upon the Way, but who is still ashamed of having shabby clothing or meager rations, is not worth engaging in discussion.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said A man of station whose will is set on the Way but who is ashamed of poor clothing and poor food – not worth talking to!
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Confucius said, “If you first learn as much as you can, then guard against that which is dubious and speak carefully about the rest, you will seldom speak in error. If you first observe as much as you can, then guard against that which is perilous and carefully put the rest into action, you will seldom have cause for regret. If in your speech you seldom err, and in your behavior you seldom have cause for regret, an official position will follow naturally.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Zizhang was studying to gain an official position. The Master said, Hear much, put aside what’s doubtful, and in your speech apply the rest with caution – then you’ll make few mistakes. Observe much, put aside what’s suspicious, and in your actions apply the rest with caution – then you’ll have little to regret. Making few mistakes, having little to regret – the way to official position lies in this.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
