Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
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Yan Hui asked about benevolence (humaneness). The Master said, “To restrain oneself and return to ritual propriety is humaneness. If for just one day everyone could restrain themselves and conform to ritual propriety, the whole world would return to humaneness. Cultivating humaneness depends on oneself—how could it depend on others?”
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When fellow townspeople held a communal drinking ceremony, Confucius would not leave until the elders leaning on staffs had departed. When the villagers performed the ‘nuo’ exorcism ritual (to drive away plague spirits), he put on his formal court robes and stood respectfully on the eastern host’s steps.
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When at court, Confucius spoke with lower-ranking officials in a relaxed, forthright, and affable manner; with higher-ranking officials, he was respectful, upright, and measured in speech; and when the ruler was present, he appeared both reverently cautious and gracefully composed.
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The Book of Odes says:“When Yin had not yet lost the people’s support, it was worthy to serve Heaven.Take Yin as a mirror – Heaven’s great mandate is not easily retained.”
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Mencius said: “If the ruler is benevolent, all will be benevolent; if the ruler is righteous, all will be righteous.”
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7.36 The Master said, “Just as lavishness leads easily to presumption, so does frugality to meanness. But meanness is a far less serious fault than presumption.”
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6.24A single change could bring Qi to the level of Lu; and a single change would bring Lu to Dao.
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4.12 The Master said, “Those whose measures are dictated by mere expediency will arouse continual discontent.”
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3.15 When the Master entered the Grand Temple he asked questions about everything there. Someone said, “Do not tell me that this son of a villager from Zou is expert in matters of ritual. When he went to the Grand Temple, he had to ask about everything.”