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The Analects – Chapter 11.23
Confucius was in danger during the incident at Kuang, and Yan Hui lagged behind. When Yan Hui finally caught up, Confucius said, “I thought you had died.” Yan Hui replied, “As long as you, Master, are still alive, how could I dare to die?”
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The Analects – Chapter 11.22
Zilu asked, “When I hear a truth, should I act on it immediately?” The Master replied, “You still have your father and elder brothers alive – how can you act on it as soon as you hear it?”Ran You asked the same question: “When I hear a truth, should I act on it immediately?”…
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The Analects – Chapter 11.21
The Master said, “Is someone praised merely because his words sound sincere and earnest? Is he truly a noble person (junzi), or just someone who puts on a solemn appearance?”
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The Analects – Chapter 11.20
Zi Zhang asked about the way of the “good person” (one naturally virtuous but without formal learning). The Master replied, “If one does not follow in the footsteps of the ancients, one cannot enter the inner chamber of true virtue.”
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The Analects – Chapter 11.19
The Master said, “Hui is nearly there in moral perfection – yet he is often destitute. Ci does not accept his fate; instead, he engages in trade and commerce, and his market predictions are frequently correct.”
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The Analects – Chapter 11.18
Gao Chai is overly simple-minded; Zeng Shen is slow-witted; Zi Zhang is one-sided and extreme; Zi You (Zilu) is coarse and impetuous.