•
An ode says: “The blossoms of the tang-di tree flutter back and forth. How could I not long for you? It’s just that my home is far from yours.” Confucius commented, “If one truly longed, one would have already acted – how could distance ever be a barrier?”
•
Confucius said, “There are those with whom one can study together, but not proceed together on the Way; those with whom one can proceed on the Way, but not stand firm with; and those with whom one can stand firm, but not exercise discretion.”
•
Confucius said, “The wise are not perplexed; the humane are not anxious; the courageous are not afraid.”
•
Confucius said, “Only when the year turns cold do we know that the pine and cypress are the last to shed their leaves.”
•
Confucius said, “Wearing a tattered cotton robe and standing beside someone clad in luxurious fox or badger fur – yet feeling no shame: perhaps only Zilu can do this! As the Odes say, ‘Not envious, not greedy – how could one not be good?’ ” Zilu recited this verse for the rest of his…
•
Confucius said, “The commander of an army of three divisions may be taken away, but the will of an ordinary man cannot be taken from him.”
•
Confucius said, “Hold loyalty and trustworthiness as your foundation; do not befriend those who are inferior to yourself; and when you make a mistake, do not fear correcting it.”
•
Confucius said, “When one hears stern, principled words that accord with ritual and righteousness, can one fail to obey? But what matters is genuinely correcting oneself. When one hears gentle, agreeable words of guidance, can one fail to feel pleased? But what matters is carefully reflecting on their meaning. If one merely feels pleased…