The Master said, “Zang Wuzhong used his fief of Fang to demand that the ruler of Lu appoint his descendants as successors. Even if someone claims he was not coercing his lord, I do not believe it.”
Zi Zhang asked about governance. The Master said, “Be tireless in holding your position, and carry out your duties with loyalty.”
Zi Zhang asked how to cultivate virtue and discern confusion. The Master said, “Make loyalty and trustworthiness your foundation, and always align yourself with righteousness—this is how you elevate virtue. As for confusion: when you love someone, you wish him to live; when you hate him, you wish him to die. Now wanting him…
Sima Niu lamented, “Everyone has brothers, but I alone have none.”Zixia consoled him, saying, “I once heard it said: ‘Life and death are determined by fate; wealth and honor depend on Heaven.’ If a noble person is reverent and never careless in conduct, and treats others with respect and propriety, then all within the…
Ji Ziran asked, “Can Zhong You and Ran Qiu be considered great ministers?”The Master replied, “I expected you to ask about something extraordinary – instead, you ask about You and Qiu! A great minister serves his ruler according to the Way (Dao); if this is not possible, he withdraws. As for You and Qiu,…
Confucius was in danger during the incident at Kuang, and Yan Hui lagged behind. When Yan Hui finally caught up, Confucius said, “I thought you had died.” Yan Hui replied, “As long as you, Master, are still alive, how could I dare to die?”
The Master said, “Those who followed me during my hardships in Chen and Cai are now no longer at my gate.”
When a friend died and had no family to care for the funeral, Confucius said, “I will handle his burial.” When friends gave gifts – even something as valuable as a carriage and horses – he would not bow in thanks unless the gift was sacrificial meat.