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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?”
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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…
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Ji Ziran asked, “Can Zhong You and Ran Qiu be considered great ministers?”The Master replied, “I expected you to ask about something extraordinary – instead, you ask about You and Qiu! A great minister serves his ruler according to the Way (Dao); if this is not possible, he withdraws. As for You and Qiu,…
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Confucius was in danger during the incident at Kuang, and Yan Hui lagged behind. When Yan Hui finally caught up, Confucius said, “I thought you had died.” Yan Hui replied, “As long as you, Master, are still alive, how could I dare to die?”
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Zilu asked, “When I hear a truth, should I act on it immediately?” The Master replied, “You still have your father and elder brothers alive – how can you act on it as soon as you hear it?”Ran You asked the same question: “When I hear a truth, should I act on it immediately?”…
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The Master said, “Is someone praised merely because his words sound sincere and earnest? Is he truly a noble person (junzi), or just someone who puts on a solemn appearance?”
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Zi Zhang asked about the way of the “good person” (one naturally virtuous but without formal learning). The Master replied, “If one does not follow in the footsteps of the ancients, one cannot enter the inner chamber of true virtue.”
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The Master said, “Hui is nearly there in moral perfection – yet he is often destitute. Ci does not accept his fate; instead, he engages in trade and commerce, and his market predictions are frequently correct.”