SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.4

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    Ana

    Sima Niu asked about the noble person (junzi). The Master said, “The noble person has no anxiety and no fear.”He asked further, “Is being free from anxiety and fear alone enough to be called a noble person?”The Master replied, “When one examines oneself inwardly and finds no guilt, what is there to worry or…

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.3

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    Ana

    Sima Niu asked about humaneness. The Master said, “A humane person speaks with restraint and caution.”Sima Niu asked, “Is speaking with restraint alone enough to be called humane?”The Master replied, “Since practicing humaneness is so difficult, how could one speak about it without caution?”

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.2

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    Ana

    Zhong Gong (Ran Yong) asked about humaneness. The Master said, “When you go out, behave as if you were receiving a distinguished guest; when you employ the people, act as if you were conducting a great sacrifice. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire. Then, whether serving in government or…

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.1

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    Ana

    Yan Hui asked about benevolence (humaneness). The Master said, “To restrain oneself and return to ritual propriety is humaneness. If for just one day everyone could restrain themselves and conform to ritual propriety, the whole world would return to humaneness. Cultivating humaneness depends on oneself—how could it depend on others?”

  • The Analects – Chapter 11.26

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    Ana

    Zilu, Zeng Xi (named Dian), Ran You, and Gongxi Hua were sitting with Confucius. The Master said, “I am a few years older than you – don’t let that hold you back. You often say, ‘No one understands me!’ If someone did understand and employ you, what would you do?”

  • The Analects – Chapter 11.25

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    Ana

    Zilu appointed Zigao as magistrate of Fei. The Master said, “You are harming that young man!”Zilu replied, “There are people to govern and altars of soil and grain to tend – why must one read books before being considered learned?”The Master retorted, “This is precisely why I detest glib talkers who twist words to…