• The Analects – Chapter 13.8

    The Master spoke of Gongzi Jing of Wei, saying, “He was good at managing his household. When he first had a little, he said, ‘It’s sufficient enough.’ When he had a bit more, he said, ‘It’s complete enough.’ When he became wealthy, he said, ‘It’s beautiful enough.’”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.7

    The Master said, “The governance of Lu and Wei is like that of brothers.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.6

    The Master said, “When a leader’s conduct is upright, people will follow even without orders; when his conduct is not upright, they will not obey even if he issues commands.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.5

    The Master said, “If a person can recite all three hundred poems of the Classic of Poetry, yet when entrusted with government affairs cannot manage them effectively, and when sent as an envoy to foreign states cannot respond independently—what use is all that learning, no matter how extensive?”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.4

    Fan Chi asked to learn farming. The Master said, “I am not as good as an old farmer.”He then asked to learn gardening. The Master said, “I am not as good as an old gardener.”After Fan Chi left, Confucius said, “How petty-minded Fan Xu is! If those in high position love ritual, the people…

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.3

    Zilu asked Confucius, “If the ruler of Wei were waiting for you to take charge of government, what would you do first?”The Master said, “Certainly, I would rectify the names!”Zilu replied, “Really? How impractical you are! What’s there to rectify?”The Master said, “How uncultivated you are, You! When a noble person does not understand…