• The Analects – Chapter 14.8

    The Master said, “In drafting official documents [or diplomatic proclamations], Bi Chen would first compose a draft; Shi Shu would then discuss and revise it; Xing Ren Zi Yu would polish the wording; and Dong Li Zi Chan would finally refine and finalize it.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.7

    The Master said, “If you truly love someone, can you refrain from making him work hard? If you are sincerely devoted to someone, can you avoid instructing him?”

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.6

    The Master said, “There may be noble persons (junzi) who occasionally fall short of benevolence; but there has never been a petty person who truly attained benevolence.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.5

    Nangong Kuo asked Confucius, “Yi was skilled in archery, and Ao could overturn boats with his strength – yet neither died a natural death. Yu and Ji personally tilled the fields, yet they gained the empire.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.4

    The Master said, “A person of virtue will surely have meaningful words; but one who has words is not necessarily virtuous. A humane (benevolent) person will surely possess courage; but a courageous person is not necessarily humane.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.3

    The Master said, “When the state is well governed, speak uprightly and act uprightly; when the state is poorly governed, act uprightly but speak modestly and cautiously.”