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The Analects – Chapter 76 (4.11). Noble person vs. Petty person
4.11 The Master (Confucius) said, “Where gentlemen set their hearts upon virtue, the commoners set theirs upon the soil. Where gentlemen think only of punishments, the commoners think only of exemptions.”
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The Analects – Chapter 75 (4.10). Beyond rigidity
4.10 The Master said, “A gentleman in his dealings with the world has neither enmities nor affections; but wherever he sees righteousness he ranges himself beside it.”
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The Analects – Chapter 74 (4.9). Beyond material pursuits
4.9 The Master said, “A scholar whose heart is set upon Dao, but who is ashamed of wearing shabby clothes and eating coarse food, is not worth calling into counsel.”
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The Analects – Chapter 73 (4.8). Dao as life’s ultimate purpose
4.8 The Master said, “In the morning, hear the Dao (the Way); in the evening, die content!”
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The Analects – Chapter 72 (4.7). Faults as mirrors to moral character
4.7 The Master said, “People’s faults vary according to their kind. By observing their faults, one comes to understand their humanity.”
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The Analects – Chapter 71 (4.6). Confucius’ admonition against moral apathy
4.6 The Master said, “I for my part have never yet seen one who really cared for benevolence, nor one who really abhorred wickedness. One who really cared for benevolence would never let any other consideration come first. One who abhorred wickedness would be so constantly practicing benevolence that wickedness would never have a…