5.25 The Master said, “Clever talk, a pretentious manner and a reverence that is only of the feet — Zuo Qiuming was incapable of stooping to them, and I too could never stoop to them. Having to conceal one’s indignation and keep on friendly terms with the people against whom one feels it —…
4.9 The Master said, “A scholar whose heart is set upon Dao, but who is ashamed of wearing shabby clothes and eating coarse food, is not worth calling into counsel.”
The Master said,”‘Clever talk and a pretentious manner’ are seldom found in the Good.”
A supposedly virtuous man who pretends to do good deeds is no better than a selfish scoundrel.
“Tian Qilang” is a classic tale from Pu Songling’s Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (Liaozhai Zhiyi), exploring themes of loyalty, gratitude, and social injustice through the relationship between the impoverished hunter Tian Qilang and the aristocrat Wu Chengxiu.
The maxim — “Intentional good deeds deserve no reward; unintentional wrongdoings warrant no punishment” — originates from Strange Tales from Liaozhai Studio: The Examination for the Post of City God (Candidate for the City God). It was Song Tao’s answer during his underworld examination.
A corrupt official wanted to show that he was pure and honest. So, before assuming office, he took an oath in public, saying, “If my right hand accepts bribes, let it fester; if my left hand accepts bribes, let it fester, too.”