This chapter records debates between Mozi and Confucian Gong Mengzi. Mozi refutes Confucian views on passive conduct, ancient robes, fatalism, elaborate funerals and empty music, denouncing four harmful Confucian doctrines while acknowledging Confucius’ valid ideas.
Mencius outlines core Confucian cultivation: fully expanding one’s mind reveals inherent good nature, which lets one understand Heaven. Guarding the mind and nurturing nature serves Heaven; steady self-cultivation amid varying life spans fulfills one’s destined mission.
Confucius tells Zigong he longs for silence, drawing an analogy to Heaven. Heaven says nothing yet governs seasons and nurtures all creation. He stresses genuine moral influence relies on deeds rather than empty verbal preaching, valuing silent self-cultivation over glib speech.
Sun Tzu puts forward five key elements to assess warfare: morality, heaven, earth, commandership and discipline. Leaders should compare both sides’ strengths based on these factors to fully analyze the real situation before battles.
–Mao Zedong, January 9, 1963 So small this earthly ball –A few flies dash at walls.They buzz and brawl,Some shrill and squall,Some whimper, appall.
–Mao Zedong, June 1959 Faint dreams of old days curse time’s swift flowing tide,My homeland’s scenes recall thirty-two years’ pride.Red flags unfurl; serf’s halberds rise far and wide,Black hands hold high tyrant’s whips, cruel and applied.
–Mao Zedong, July 1, 1958 PrefaceReading People’s Daily (June 30): Yujiang County has eradicated schistosomiasis.My thoughts soar; I cannot sleep.Soft breeze caresses; rising sun gilds the window.Gazing south, I joyfully take up my brush.