Book 2
2.1
The Master said: When one rules by means of virtue it is like the North Star - it dwells in its place and the other stars pay reverence to it.
2.2
The Master said: There are three hundred songs in the Poetry, yet one phrase covers them all: Thoughts unswerving."
2.3
The Master said: Guide them with policies and align them with punishments and the people will evade them and have no shame. Guide them with virtue and align them with li and the people will have a sense of shame and fulfill their roles.
2.4
The Master said: When I was fifteen I set my heart on learning. At thirty I took my stand. At forty I was without confusion. At fifty I knew the command of Tian. At sixty I heard it with a compliant ear. At seventy I follow the desires of my heart and do not overstep the bounds.
2.5
Meng Yizi asked about filiality. The Master said, Never disobey."
Fan Chi was driving the Master's chariot, and the Master told him, Meng Yizi asked me about filiality and I replied, 'Never disobey.'" Fan Chi said, What did you mean?" The Master said, While they are alive, serve them according to li. When they are dead, bury them according to li; sacrifice to them according to li.".
2.6
Meng Wubo asked about filiality. The Master said, Let your mother and father need be concerned only for your health."
2.7
Ziyou asked about filiality. The Master said, What is meant by filiality today is nothing but being able to take care of your parents. But even hounds and horses can require care. Without respectful vigilance, what is the difference?"
2.8
Zixia asked about filiality. The Master said, It is the expression on the face that is difficult. That the young should shoulder the hardest chores or that the eldest are served food and wine first at meals - whenever was that what filiality meant?"
2.9
The Master said: I can speak with Hui all day and he will never contradict me, like a dolt. But after he withdraws, when I survey his personal conduct, indeed he is ready to go forth. He's no dolt!
2.10
The Master said: Look at the means he employs, observe the sources of his conduct, examine what gives him comfort - where can he hide? Where can he hide?
2.11
The Master said: A person who can bring new warmth to the old while understanding the new is worthy to take as a teacher.
2.12
The Master said: The junzi is not a vessel.
2.13
Zigong asked about the junzi. The Master said, One who first tries out a precept and only after follows it."
2.14
The Master said: The junzi is inclusive and not a partisan; the small man is a partisan and not inclusive.
2.15
The Master said: If you study but don't reflect you'll be lost. If you reflect but don't study you'll get into trouble.
2.16
The Master said: One who sets to work on a different strand does damage.
2.17
The Master said: Shall I teach you about knowledge, Yóu? To know when you know something, and to know when you don't know, that's knowledge.
2.18
Zizhang wanted to learn how to seek a salaried appointment. The Master said, If you listen to much, put aside what seems doubtful, and assert the remainder with care, your mistakes will be few. If you observe much, put aside what seems dangerous, and act upon the remainder with care, your regrets will be few. Few mistakes in speech, few regrets in action - a salary lies therein."
2.19
Duke Ai asked, What should I do so that the people will obey?" Confucius replied, Raise up the straight and set them above the crooked and the people will obey. Raise up the crooked and set them above the straight and the people will not obey."
2.20
Ji Kangzi asked, How would it be to use persuasion to make the people respectful and loyal?" The Master said, If you approach them with solemnity they will be respectful; if you are filial and caring they will be loyal; if you raise up the good and instruct those who lack ability they will be persuaded."
2.21
Someone addressed Confucius, saying, Why do you not engage in government?" The Master said, The Documents says, 'Filial, merely be filial, and friends to brothers young and old.' To apply this as one's governance is also to engage in government. Why must there be some purposeful effort to engage in governance?"
2.22
The Master said: A person without trustworthiness, who knows what he may do? A carriage without a yoke strap, a cart without a yoke hook: how can you drive them?
2.23
Zizhang asked, May one foretell ten generations from now?" The Master said, The Yin Dynasty adhered to the li of the Xia Dynasty; what they added and discarded can be known. The Zhou Dynasty adhered to the li of the Yin Dynasty; what they added and discarded can be known. As for those who may follow after the Zhou, though a hundred generations, we can foretell."
2.24
The Master said: To sacrifice to spirits that do not belong to you is to be a toady. To see the right and not do it is to lack courage.