SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

The Analects

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.11

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    Ana

    Yan Hui asked Confucius, “How should one govern a state?”The Master replied, “Use the Xia dynasty’s calendar, ride the Shang dynasty’s chariot, wear the Zhou dynasty’s ceremonial cap, and for music, adopt the Shao and Wu dances. Ban the music of Zheng and keep away from flattering and crafty people. The music of Zheng…

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.10

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    Ana

    Zigong asked Confucius, “How does one practice benevolence (humaneness)?”The Master replied, “If a craftsman wants to do his job well, he must first sharpen his tools. Likewise, when you reside in a state, serve those ministers who are virtuous, and befriend those scholars who are humane.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.9

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    Ana

    The Master said, “The determined scholar and the humane person will never seek to preserve their life at the expense of benevolence (humaneness); they would rather sacrifice their life to fulfill humaneness.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.8

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    Ana

    The Master said, “If you can speak with someone but do not, you lose a person; if you cannot speak with someone yet do, you waste your words. The wise person neither loses people nor wastes words.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.7

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    Ana

    The Master said, “How upright was Shi Yu! When the state was well governed, he was as straight as an arrow; when the state was poorly governed, he was still as straight as an arrow.What a noble person was Qu Boyu! When the state was well governed, he served in office; when the state…

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.6

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    Ana

    Zizhang asked Confucius, “How can one get along well everywhere (i.e., be accepted and succeed in society)?”The Master replied, “If your words are loyal and trustworthy, and your conduct is sincere and respectful, you will get along even among the most uncultured tribes. But if your words lack loyalty and trustworthiness, and your actions…

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.5

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    Ana

    The Master said, “Whoever ruled by non-action (wu wei) – was it not Shun? What did he actually do? He merely sat solemnly and upright on his throne facing south.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.4

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    Ana

    The Master said with a sigh, “You, Zhong You! Truly, those who understand virtue are few indeed!”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.3

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    Ana

    The Master asked Zigong, “Ci, do you think I am someone who has acquired much knowledge and simply remembered it all?”Zigong replied, “Yes – aren’t you?”The Master said, “No. I hold to one principle that unifies everything.”