4.2 The Master said, “Without benevolence a man Cannot for long endure adversity,Cannot for long enjoy prosperity.
3.19 Duke Ding asked for a precept concerning a ruler’s use of his ministers and a minister’s service to his ruler.
3.7 The Master said,”Gentlemen never compete. You will say that in archery they do so. But even then they bow and make way for one another when they are going up to the archery-ground, when they are coming down and at the subsequent drinking-bout. Thus even when competing, they still remain gentlemen.”
3.4 Lin Fang asked for some main principles in connexion with ritual. Confucius said, “A very big question. In ritual at large it is a safe rule always to be too sparing rather than too lavish; and in the particular case of mourning-rites, they should be dictated by grief rather than by ease.”
The Master said: “The noble person practices inclusive integrity — they embrace all with impartial care, avoiding factional alliances. The petty person forms exclusive cliques — they bond through self-interest, lacking ethical consistency.
Ziyou asked about the treatment of parents. The Master said, ” ‘Filial sons’ nowadays are people who see to it that their parents get enough to eat. But even dogs and horses are cared for to that extent. If there is no feeling of respect, wherein lies the difference?”
Master You said,”In your promises cleave to what is right, and you will be able to fulfill your word; In your obeisances cleave to ritual, and you will keep dishonour at bay; In the partnership, choose those conversant ones, as they can stand the test of time. “
Master Zeng said, “Every day I examine myself on these three points: in acting on behalf of others, have I always been loyal to their interests? In intercourse with my friends, have I always been true to my word? Have I failed to repeat the precepts that have been handed down to me?”