ethical exemplarity

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.13

    The Master said, “If one can first rectify his own conduct, what difficulty could there be in governing? If he cannot rectify himself, how can he rectify others?”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.4

    Fan Chi asked to learn farming. The Master said, “I am not as good as an old farmer.”He then asked to learn gardening. The Master said, “I am not as good as an old gardener.”After Fan Chi left, Confucius said, “How petty-minded Fan Xu is! If those in high position love ritual, the people…

  • Mencius – Chapter 5.2 The Prince in the Mourning

    When Duke Ding of Teng died, the crown prince (later Duke Wen of Teng) said to his minister Ran You: “Years ago, Mencius taught me in Song, and his words have stayed with me ever since. Now I am so unfortunate as to have lost my father, I would like you to go and…