SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.11

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    Ana

    Duke Jing of Qi asked Confucius about governance. Confucius replied, “Let the ruler be a ruler, the minister be a minister, the father be a father, and the son be a son.”The Duke said, “Excellent! Indeed, if rulers do not act as rulers, ministers do not act as ministers, fathers do not act as…

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.10

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    Ana

    Zi Zhang asked how to cultivate virtue and discern confusion. The Master said, “Make loyalty and trustworthiness your foundation, and always align yourself with righteousness—this is how you elevate virtue. As for confusion: when you love someone, you wish him to live; when you hate him, you wish him to die. Now wanting him…

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.9

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    Ana

    Duke Ai asked You Ruo, “In this year of famine, state revenues are insufficient—what should I do?”You Ruo replied, “Why not implement the che system?”The Duke said, “Even with a 20% tax, I still don’t have enough—how can I possibly reduce it to 10%?”You Ruo answered, “If the people are prosperous, how could the…

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.8

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    Ana

    Ji Zicheng said, “A noble person needs only inner substance—why bother with outward refinement?”Zigong replied, “What a pity, sir, that you speak this way of the noble person! Once words are spoken, even a team of four horses cannot overtake them. Refinement is as essential as substance, and substance is as essential as refinement.…

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.7

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    Ana

    Zigong asked about governance. The Master said, “Ensure sufficient food, sufficient military strength, and the people’s trust.”Zigong asked, “If, under unavoidable circumstances, one of these three must be abandoned, which should go first?”The Master replied, “Abandon the military.”Zigong asked again, “If, under further unavoidable circumstances, another must be abandoned between the remaining two, which…

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.6

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    Ana

    Zi Zhang asked about clarity (or discernment). The Master said, “If insidious slander—like water slowly soaking in—and urgent, emotionally charged accusations—like a wound to the skin—cannot take hold with you, you may be called ming. If such slander and complaints find no traction in you, you may also be called farsighted.”