Gongboliu slandered Zilu before Ji Sun. Zifu Jingbo informed Confucius, saying, “Ji Sun has indeed been misled by Gongboliu, but with my influence, I could still have Gongboliu executed and his body exposed in the marketplace.”The Master replied, “Will the Way prevail? It is a matter of Heaven’s Mandate. Will the Way be abandoned?…
Confucius was in danger when surrounded by people in Kuang. He said, “King Wen of Zhou is long gone – but is not the cultural tradition now embodied in me? If Heaven intended to destroy this culture, those born after him (including myself) would never have had access to it. Since Heaven has not…
The Way of Heaven and Earth can be summed up in a single phrase:Because it is undivided and without duality, its power to generate life is unfathomable.
The Kang Gao (in the Book of Documents) says: “Be able to manifest your bright virtue.”The Tai Jia says: “Constantly reflect upon and uphold Heaven’s bright mandate.”The Di Dian (i.e., the Yao Dian) says: “Be able to illuminate your lofty and luminous virtue.” All of these point to self-illumination – making one’s own inner…
Mencius said, “Benevolence brings glory, whereas its absence leads to disgrace. Now people hate disgrace and benevolence, just like those who hate dampness but live in a low-lying area.