• The Analects – Chapter 15.5

    The Master said, “Whoever ruled by non-action (wu wei) – was it not Shun? What did he actually do? He merely sat solemnly and upright on his throne facing south.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.4

    The Master said with a sigh, “You, Zhong You! Truly, those who understand virtue are few indeed!”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.3

    The Master asked Zigong, “Ci, do you think I am someone who has acquired much knowledge and simply remembered it all?”Zigong replied, “Yes – aren’t you?”The Master said, “No. I hold to one principle that unifies everything.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.2

    While in Chen, Confucius and his followers ran out of food. His disciples fell ill from hunger and could not get up. Zilu, visibly angry, came to see him and asked, “Can even a noble person (junzi) fall into such desperate straits?”The Master replied, “The noble person steadfastly endures poverty; when the petty person…

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.1

    Duke Ling of Wei asked Confucius about military formations. Confucius replied, “I have heard about matters of ritual vessels and sacrifices; as for military affairs, I have never studied them.” The next day, he left Wei.

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.44

    A boy from Que Dang was sent to deliver a message. Someone asked Confucius, “Is he someone who seeks self-improvement?”The Master replied, “I saw him sitting in an adult’s seat and walking side by side with his elders. He is not one who truly seeks improvement – he merely wants to achieve success quickly.”