historical judgment

  • The Analects – Chapter 16.12

    Duke Jing of Qi owned four thousand horses (in ancient China, a team of four horses was called a “si”; thus, one thousand si equals four thousand horses), enjoying immense wealth and luxury. Yet on the day he died, the people could find no virtue in him to praise. Bo Yi and Shu Qi…

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.15

    The Master said, “Duke Wen of Jin was crafty but not upright; Duke Huan of Qi was upright but not crafty.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.9

    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…

  • Mencius – Chapter 7.2 The Compass of Kingship

    Mencius said: “The compass and square are the ultimate standards for drawing circles and squares;the sage is the ultimate model for human relationships.”