Book 1
1.1
The Master said: To study and at due times practice what one has studied, is this not a pleasure? When friends come from distant places, is this not joy? To remain unsoured when his talents are unrecognized, is this not a junzi?
1.2
Master You said: It is rare to find a person who is filial to his parents and respectful of his elders, yet who likes to oppose his ruling superior. And never has there been one who does not like opposing his ruler who has raised a rebellion.
The junzi works on the root once the root is planted, the dao is born. Filiality and respect for elders, are these not the roots of ren?
1.3
The Master said: Those of crafty words and ingratiating expression are rarely ren.
1.4
Master Zeng said: Each day I examine myself upon three points. In planning for others, have I been loyal? In company with friends, have I been trustworthy? And have I practiced what has been passed on to me?
1.5
The Master said: To guide a state great enough to possess a thousand war chariots: be attentive to affairs and trustworthy; regulate expenditures and treat persons as valuable; employ the people according to the proper season.
1.6
The Master said: A young man should be filial within his home and respectful of elders when outside, should be careful and trustworthy, broadly caring of people at large, and should cleave to those who are ren. If he has energy left over, he may study the refinements of culture (wen).
1.7
Zixia said: If a person treats worthy people as worthy and so alters his expression, exerts all his effort when serving his parents, exhausts himself when serving his lord, and is trustworthy in keeping his word when in the company of friends, though others may say he is not yet learned, I would call him learned.
1.8
The Master said: If a junzi is not serious he will not be held in awe.
If you study you will not be crude.
Take loyalty and trustworthiness as the pivot and have no friends who are not like yourself in this.
If you err, do not be afraid to correct yourself.
1.9
Master Zeng said: Devote care to life's end and pursue respect for the distant dead; in this way, the virtue of the people will return to fullness.
1.10
Ziqin asked Zigong, "When our Master travels to a state, he always learns the affairs of its government. Does he seek out the information, or do people give it to him of their own accord?"
Zigong said, "Our Master obtains this information by being friendly, straightforward, reverential, frugal, and modest. The way our Master seeks things is different from the way others do!"
1.11
The Master said: When the father is alive, observe the son's intent. When the father dies, observe the son's conduct.
One who does not alter his late father's dao for three years may be called filial.
1.12
Master You said:
In the practice of li, Harmony is the key.
In the Dao of the kings of old, This was the beauty.
In all affairs, great and small, follow this. Yet there is one respect in which one does not. To act in harmony simply because one understands what is harmonious, but not to regulate one's conduct according to li: indeed, one cannot act in that way.
1.13
Master You said: Trustworthiness is close to righteousness: one's words are tested true. Reverence is close to li: it keeps shame and disgrace at a distance. One who can accord with these and not depart from his father's way such a one may truly be revered.
1.14
The Master said: A junzi is not concerned that food fill his belly; he does not seek comfort in his residence.
If a person is apt in conduct and cautious in speech, stays near those who keep to the dao and corrects himself thereby, he may be said to love learning.
1.15
Zigong said, "To be poor but never a flatterer; to be wealthy but never arrogant what would you say to that?"
The Master said, "That's fine, but not so good as: To be poor but joyful; to be wealthy and love li."
Zigong said, "In the Poetry it says, As though cut, as though chiseled, As though carved, as though polished.
Is that what you mean?"
The Master said, "Ah, Si! I can finally begin to talk about the Poetry with him. I tell him what came before and he understands what is coming next."
1.16
The Master said: Do not be concerned that no one recognizes your merits. Be concerned that you may not recognize others'.