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The Master said, “The noble person seeks from himself; the petty person seeks from others.”
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The Master said, “There are three qualities of the noble person’s Way, none of which I have been able to attain: the benevolent are free from anxiety, the wise are free from perplexity, and the courageous are free from fear.”Zigong replied, “This is precisely a description of yourself, Master!”
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5.27 The Master said, “In vain have I looked for a single man capable of seeing his own faults and bringing the charge home against himself.”
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Master Zeng said, “Every day I examine myself on these three points: in acting on behalf of others, have I always been loyal to their interests? In intercourse with my friends, have I always been true to my word? Have I failed to repeat the precepts that have been handed down to me?”
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In stillness, a person’s thoughts are as clear as water, and his true heart can be seen to the bottom.
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Self-conceit and arrogance are the result of evil influences from outside oneself. Such influences must be suppressed; only then can healthy trends be encouraged.
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In the still of the night, when a man sits alone in meditation, the first thing that happens is that his inordinate desires disappear, and his true self holds sway.