Next comes “attending to particulars”.Through focused sincerity in specific matters, one attains sincerity;sincerity becomes manifest;manifestation becomes evident;evidence becomes luminous;luminosity moves others;movement brings transformation;transformation leads to full moral transformation.Only the supremely sincere person under heaven can achieve this transformative power.
In all things, preparation leads to success; without preparation, there is failure.If one’s words are settled in advance, one will not stumble in speech;if one’s affairs are planned in advance, one will not be perplexed;if one’s actions are resolved in advance, one will not feel remorse;if one’s path is determined in advance, one will…
The Master said:“Loving learning brings one near to wisdom;exerting oneself in practice brings one near to benevolence;knowing shame brings one near to courage.”
Duke Ai asked about governance.The Master said:“The policies of Kings Wen and Wu are recorded in books and documents.Yet, when the right people are present, their policies flourish;when those people are gone, their policies cease.”
The Master said:“Who but King Wen could be truly free from worry?He had King Ji as his father and King Wu as his son –his father initiated the enterprise, and his son carried it forward.”
The Master said:“Was Shun not the epitome of filial piety?His virtue made him a sage; his honor made him Son of Heaven;he possessed the wealth of all within the Four Seas.He is honored in ancestral temples, and his descendants preserve his legacy.