principled retreat

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.7

    The Master said, “How upright was Shi Yu! When the state was well governed, he was as straight as an arrow; when the state was poorly governed, he was still as straight as an arrow.What a noble person was Qu Boyu! When the state was well governed, he served in office; when the state…

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.37

    The Master said, “The most virtuous withdraw from the world entirely; the next withdraw from a particular state; the next avoid disrespectful looks; and the next avoid offensive words.”The Master added, “There have already been seven such people.”