The Master said, “The noble person is calm and composed but not arrogant; the petty person is arrogant but not calm.”
Sima Niu asked about the noble person (junzi). The Master said, “The noble person has no anxiety and no fear.”He asked further, “Is being free from anxiety and fear alone enough to be called a noble person?”The Master replied, “When one examines oneself inwardly and finds no guilt, what is there to worry or…
Confucius eliminated four faults: he did not speculate without evidence, did not insist on absolute certainty, did not cling to rigid opinions, and did not prioritize his own self.
The Master said:“The Way is not distant from people.If one pursues the Way in a way that estranges it from human life, it cannot be called the true Way.”
Mencius said: “What distinguishes the noble person from ordinary people lies in what they hold in their heart. The noble person keeps benevolence and ritual propriety in mind. One who embodies benevolence loves others; one who embodies ritual respects others. Those who love others are constantly loved in return; those who respect others are…
Mencius said: “If you love others but they do not respond with closeness, reflect on whether your own benevolence is genuine.If you govern people but fail to bring order, reflect on whether your wisdom is sufficient.If you treat others with ritual propriety but receive no response, reflect on whether your reverence is sincere.”