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Confucius said, “Wearing a tattered cotton robe and standing beside someone clad in luxurious fox or badger fur – yet feeling no shame: perhaps only Zilu can do this! As the Odes say, ‘Not envious, not greedy – how could one not be good?’ ” Zilu recited this verse for the rest of his…
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What is meant by “making one’s intentions sincere” is not deceiving oneself. It is like hating a foul odor or loving a beautiful color – this is what is called self-satisfaction (or inner authenticity). Therefore, the gentleman must be especially vigilant when alone.
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– Wen Tianxiang By virtue of the classics, painstakingly I rose to serve my state;Four years of war have passed, with our banners desolate.Our land, torn asunder, drifts like catkins in the gale;My life, adrift and battered, like duckweed in the rain’s assail.At Huangkong Shoal, I sighed for the fears that once prevailed;On Lingding…
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Mencius said to Yuezheng Zi (Yuezheng Ke): “Your coming here with Zi Ao is merely for the sake of food and drink.I never expected that someone who has studied the ancient Way would stoop to seeking just a meal!”
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Mencius said: “The trouble with people is that they love to act as teachers to others.”
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Mencius said: “What duty is greatest? Serving one’s parents is greatest.What must be guarded above all? Guarding one’s own moral integrity is paramount.I have heard of people with moral integrity can serve their parents well;but I have never heard of anyone of lax morals can do so. There are various kinds of duties. Yet…
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Mencius said: “A truly respectful person never humiliates others;a truly frugal person never takes what belongs to others.Yet some rulers humiliate their people and seize their wealth,all while fearing that others won’t obey them.How can such people be called ‘respectful’ or ‘frugal’?Can respectfulness and frugality really be faked through tone of voice, smiles, and…