Duke Ling of Wei asked Confucius about military formations. Confucius replied, “I have heard about matters of ritual vessels and sacrifices; as for military affairs, I have never studied them.” The next day, he left Wei.
Nangong Kuo asked Confucius, “Yi was skilled in archery, and Ao could overturn boats with his strength – yet neither died a natural death. Yu and Ji personally tilled the fields, yet they gained the empire.”
The way of supreme sincerity enables one to foresee the future.When a state is about to flourish, auspicious signs surely appear;when a state is about to perish, monstrous omens surely arise.These are revealed in the milfoil stalks and tortoise shells,and manifested in one’s bodily movements and demeanor.When fortune or misfortune is about to arrive…
Confucius said:“In hearing lawsuits, I am no different from others – but what I truly aim for is that there be no lawsuits at all!”
Mencius went to see King Hui of Liang, who said, “Venerable sir, you have traveled a thousand miles to see me – surely you must have some way to benefit my state?”