The Master said, “If a person speaks without any sense of shame, it will be difficult for him to carry out what he says.”
The Master said, “A person of virtue will surely have meaningful words; but one who has words is not necessarily virtuous. A humane (benevolent) person will surely possess courage; but a courageous person is not necessarily humane.”
The Master said, “Firmness, resoluteness, simplicity, and cautious speech—these qualities bring one close to benevolence/humaneness.”
The Master said, “If I cannot find someone who follows the middle way to associate with, I would surely choose the bold or the principled! The bold are eager to advance; the principled refuse to do certain things.”
Zi Gong asked, “What must one be like to be called a ‘shi’ (a morally responsible scholar-official)?”The Master said, “One who acts with a sense of shame and, when sent on missions abroad, fulfills his ruler’s charge without disgracing it—such a person may be called a shi.”Zi Gong asked, “May I ask about the…
Ji Kangzi asked, “Which of your disciples is most eager to learn?” Confucius replied, “There was Yan Hui, who was truly eager to learn – but unfortunately, he died young! Now there is no one like him.”
Confucius said, “There are those with whom one can study together, but not proceed together on the Way; those with whom one can proceed on the Way, but not stand firm with; and those with whom one can stand firm, but not exercise discretion.”
Confucius said, “Only when the year turns cold do we know that the pine and cypress are the last to shed their leaves.”