Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
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Fan Chi asked to learn farming. The Master said, “I am not as good as an old farmer.”He then asked to learn gardening. The Master said, “I am not as good as an old gardener.”After Fan Chi left, Confucius said, “How petty-minded Fan Xu is! If those in high position love ritual, the people…
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Zilu asked Confucius, “If the ruler of Wei were waiting for you to take charge of government, what would you do first?”The Master said, “Certainly, I would rectify the names!”Zilu replied, “Really? How impractical you are! What’s there to rectify?”The Master said, “How uncultivated you are, You! When a noble person does not understand…
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Ji Kangzi asked Confucius about governance, saying, “What if I execute those who are unprincipled in order to bring people onto the right path? How would that be?”Confucius replied, “In your governance, why resort to killing? If you yourself desire goodness, the people will become good. The virtue of the noble person is like…
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Ji Kangzi asked Confucius about governance. Confucius replied, “The word ‘governance’ means ‘rectitude’. If you yourself lead by being upright, who would dare not to be upright?”
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The Master said, “The noble person helps others fulfill their good intentions and does not assist them in doing wrong. The petty person does the opposite.”
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The Master said, “In hearing lawsuits, I am no different from others; what I truly aim for is that there be no lawsuits at all!”
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Duke Jing of Qi asked Confucius about governance. Confucius replied, “Let the ruler be a ruler, the minister be a minister, the father be a father, and the son be a son.”The Duke said, “Excellent! Indeed, if rulers do not act as rulers, ministers do not act as ministers, fathers do not act as…
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Duke Ai asked You Ruo, “In this year of famine, state revenues are insufficient—what should I do?”You Ruo replied, “Why not implement the che system?”The Duke said, “Even with a 20% tax, I still don’t have enough—how can I possibly reduce it to 10%?”You Ruo answered, “If the people are prosperous, how could the…
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Zhong Gong (Ran Yong) asked about humaneness. The Master said, “When you go out, behave as if you were receiving a distinguished guest; when you employ the people, act as if you were conducting a great sacrifice. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire. Then, whether serving in government or…