When sleeping, he did not lie stiffly like a corpse; when at home, he was relaxed and unpretentious. Yet whenever he saw someone in mourning dress – even if they were close friends – he would always change his expression to one of solemnity. When encountering someone wearing a ceremonial cap or a blind…
When a friend died and had no family to care for the funeral, Confucius said, “I will handle his burial.” When friends gave gifts – even something as valuable as a carriage and horses – he would not bow in thanks unless the gift was sacrificial meat.
The stable caught fire. When Confucius returned from court, his first question was, “Was anyone hurt?” He did not ask about the horses.
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, “The wise are not perplexed; the humane are not anxious; the courageous are not afraid.”
Confucius said, “The one who never shows laziness when I speak to him – is it not Yan Hui?”
Confucius said, “Suppose you are piling up earth to make a mountain. If you stop just one basket short of completion – that stopping is my own doing. Suppose you are leveling ground, and even if you have only dumped one basket – you are advancing, because I am moving forward.”
Confucius said, “I have never seen anyone who loves virtue as much as they love beauty.”