SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

ethical leadership

  • The Analects – Chapter 16.1

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    Ana

    The Ji family (a powerful ministerial clan in Lu) planned to attack Zhuanyu, a small state subordinate to Lu. Ran You and Zilu went to see Confucius and said, “The Ji family is about to take military action against Zhuanyu.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.38

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    Ana

    The Master said, “In serving a ruler, attend to your duties with reverence first, and place your salary second.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.22

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    Ana

    The Master said, “The noble person is dignified but not contentious; he associates with others but does not form cliques.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.1

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    Ana

    Duke Ling of Wei asked Confucius about military formations. Confucius replied, “I have heard about matters of ritual vessels and sacrifices; as for military affairs, I have never studied them.” The next day, he left Wei.

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.42

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    Ana

    Zilu asked Confucius, “What makes a noble person (junzi)?”The Master said, “Cultivate yourself with reverence.”Zilu asked, “Is that all?”The Master replied, “Cultivate yourself so as to bring peace to others.”Zilu asked again, “Is that all?”The Master said, “Cultivate yourself so as to bring peace to all the people. Even Yao and Shun would have…

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.9

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    Ana

    Someone asked Confucius about Zi Chan. The Master said, “He was a man who showed kindness to the people.”He then asked about Zi Xi. Confucius replied, “That man! That man!” (a dismissive and evasive expression).He further asked about Guan Zhong. Confucius said, “He was a true man! He confiscated three hundred households of Bo…

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.5

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    Ana

    Nangong Kuo asked Confucius, “Yi was skilled in archery, and Ao could overturn boats with his strength – yet neither died a natural death. Yu and Ji personally tilled the fields, yet they gained the empire.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.15

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    Ana

    Duke Ding asked, “Is there really a single saying that can bring prosperity to a state?”Confucius replied, “Words cannot be taken so absolutely. Yet people often say, ‘It is difficult to be a ruler; it is not easy to be a minister.’ If a ruler truly understands the difficulty of rulership and remains cautious…

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.14

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    Ana

    Ran You returned late from court. The Master asked, “Why so late?” He replied, “There was government business.” The Master corrected him, “That was merely administrative affairs. If there were truly matters of state policy, even if I were not employed, I would surely have heard about them.”