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The Analects – Chapter 8 (1.8). Pillars of nobility
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The Master said, “If a gentleman is frivolous, he will lose the respect of his inferiors and lack firm ground upon which to build up his education. First and foremost he must learn to be faithful to his superiors, to keep promises, to refuse the friendship of all who are not faithful or trustworthy.…
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The Analects – Chapter 7 (1.7). Beyond book learning
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Zixia said, “A man who values people for their virtue and talent, and honoring noble qualities above external appearances, who into serving father and mother knows how to put his whole strength, who in the service of his prince will lay down his life, who in intercourse with friends is true to his word…
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The Analects – Chapter 6 (1.6). Virtue before knowledge
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The Master said, “A young man’s duty is to behave well to his parents at home and to his elders abroad, to be cautious in giving promises and punctual in keeping them, to have kindly feelings towards everyone, but seek the intimacy of the Good. If, when all that is done, he has any…
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The Analects – Chapter 4 (1.4). The triad of self-examination
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Master Zeng said, “Every day I examine myself on these three points: in acting on behalf of others, have I always been loyal to their interests? In intercourse with my friends, have I always been true to my word? Have I failed to repeat the precepts that have been handed down to me?”
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The Analects – Chapter 3 (1.3). Words vs. Virtue
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The Master said,”‘Clever talk and a pretentious manner’ are seldom found in the Good.”