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The Master said, “In ancient times, scholars studied to cultivate themselves; nowadays, scholars study to impress others.”
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The Master said, “Is someone praised merely because his words sound sincere and earnest? Is he truly a noble person (junzi), or just someone who puts on a solemn appearance?”
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Mencius said: “Rituals that are not truly ritual, and righteousness that is not truly righteous – these are things a noble person will never do.”
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Jing Chun said: “Aren’t Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi truly great men? When they get angry, feudal lords tremble; when they stay at ease, wars across the world cease.”