The Analects – Chapter 190 (8.4). Zengzi’s deathbed teachings on noble conduct

8.4

When Master Zeng was ill, Meng Jing came to see him.

Master Zeng spoke to him saying, “When a bird is about to die, its song touches the heart. When a man is about to die, his words are of note. There are three things that a gentleman, in following the Way, places above all the rest: from every attitude, every gesture that he employs he must remove all trace of violence or arrogance; every look that he composes in his face must betoken good faith; from every word that he utters, from every intonation, he must remove all trace of coarseness or impropriety. As to the ordering of ritual vessels and the like, there are those whose business it is to attend to such matters.”

曾子有疾，孟敬子問之。曾子言曰：「鳥之將死，其鳴也哀；人之將死，其言也善。君子所貴乎道者三：動容貌，斯遠暴慢矣；正顏色，斯近信矣；出辭氣，斯遠鄙倍矣。籩豆之事，則有司存。」

Notes

Zengzi (Zeng Shen), a disciple of Confucius in his later years, was renowned for his “self-cultivation” and “filial conduct,” serving as an important transmitter of Confucian “introspective” philosophy.

“Every day I examine myself on these three points: in acting on behalf of others, have I always been loyal to their interests? In intercourse with my friends, have I always been true to my word? Have I failed to repeat the precepts that have been handed down to me?”(Analects 1.4)

The core of these three examinations is ‘seeking within oneself’: refusing to blame others externally while scrutinizing one’s own shortcomings inwardly. Through continuous self-correction, one advances in both virtue and wisdom.

Meng Jingzi was a high minister of Lu state from the aristocratic class, who according to ritual norms regularly participated in sacrificial ceremonies and court assemblies.

On his deathbed, Zengzi offered tailored advice to Meng Jingzi based on his official status and his own cultivation experience:

• Maintain dignified demeanor and gentle comportment;
• Cultivate sincere facial expressions that inspire trust;
• Employ temperate and appropriate speech patterns.

As for the specific details of ritual ceremonies, Meng Jingzi as a minister need not master them personally—specialized officials would handle such matters.

“In your facial expression, strive for gentleness; in your demeanor, strive for respectfulness; in your words, strive for sincerity; in your deeds, strive for conscientiousness.”(Analects 16.10)

One should aim for a gentle look when interacting with others, a respectful bearing in one’s appearance, sincere words in conversation, and conscientious effort in handling affairs. It specifies the standards of self-cultivation from four dimensions – facial expression, demeanor, speech, and conduct – which are perfectly consistent with the external self-cultivation path of “regulating one’s demeanor, rectifying one’s facial expression, and refining one’s tone of speech”. It emphasizes the importance of constant self-examination in daily life.