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Zilu asked Confucius, “What kind of person can be called a ‘complete person’ (a morally and intellectually fulfilled individual)?”The Master said, “If someone possesses the wisdom of Zang Wuzhong, the lack of desire of Gongchuo, the courage of Bian Zhuangzi, and the talents of Ran Qiu – and is further refined by ritual and…
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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,…
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Mencius said: “Ran Qiu served as steward to the powerful Ji family in Lu.Not only did he fail to help them improve their virtue, but he actually doubled their grain taxes.”
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7.15 Ran Qiu said, “Is our Master on the side of the Prince of Wei?” Zigong said, “Yes, I must ask him about that.”
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6.12 Ran Qiu said,”It is not that your Way does not commend itself to me, but that it demands powers I do not possess.”
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5.8 Meng Wu asked whether Zilu was benevolent. The Master said, “I do not know.”