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The Master said, “It is humanity that enlarges the Way, not the Way that enlarges humanity.”
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The Master said, “If you truly love someone, can you refrain from making him work hard? If you are sincerely devoted to someone, can you avoid instructing him?”
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Zilu asked, “What must one be like to be called a ‘shi’ (a morally cultivated scholar or gentleman)?”The Master said, “One who is earnest and mutually encouraging, yet also gentle and harmonious at home—such a person may be called a shi. Specifically, friends should be earnest and supportive of each other; brothers should be…
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Zilu asked how to serve ghosts and spirits. The Master said, “If you have not yet learned how to serve people, how can you serve ghosts and spirits?” Zilu ventured to ask further, “May I ask about death?” The Master replied, “If you do not yet understand life, how can you understand death?”
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When Yan Hui died, Confucius wept with overwhelming grief. Those accompanying him said, “You are grieving excessively.” He replied, “Am I really grieving too much? If not for someone like him, for whom else should I grieve!”
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Confucius said, “When outside, I serve dukes and ministers; at home, I serve my father and elder brothers. In matters of mourning, I never fail to do my utmost; I am never overcome by wine. What difficulty is there for me in these things?”
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Confucius wanted to move and live among the Nine Yi (barbarian tribes in the remote east). Someone said, “That place is too crude – how can you live there?” Confucius replied, “If a noble person lives there, how can it be called crude?”