Book 4
4.1
The Master said, To settle in ren is the fairest course. If one chooses not to dwell amidst ren, whence will come knowledge?
4.2
The Master said, Those who are not ren cannot long dwell in straitened circumstances, and cannot long dwell in joy. The ren person is at peace with ren. The wise person makes use of ren.
4.3
The Master said, Only the ren person can love others and hate others.
4.4
The Master said, If one sets one's heart on ren, there will be none he hates.
4.5
The Master said, Wealth and high rank are what people desire; if they are attained by not following the dao, do not dwell in them. Poverty and mean rank are what people hate; if they are attained by not following the dao, do not depart from them.
If one takes ren away from a junzi, wherein is he worthy of the name? There is no interval so short that the junzi deviates from ren. Though rushing full tilt, it is there; though head over heels, it is there.
4.6
The Master said, I have never seen one who loves ren and hates what is not ren. One who loves ren puts nothing above it. One who hates what is not ren will never allow that which is not ren to be part of his person.
Is there any person who can direct his strength to ren for an entire day? I have never seen anyone whose strength is not sufficient - most likely there is such a one, but I have yet to see him.
4.7
The Master said, People make errors according to the type of person they are. By observing their errors, you can understand ren.
4.8
The Master said, In the morning hear the dao, in the evening die content.
4.9
The Master said, If a gentleman sets his heart on the dao but is ashamed to wear poor clothes and eat poor food, he is not worth engaging in serious discussion.
4.10
The Master said, The junzi's stance towards the world is this: there is nothing he insists on, nothing he refuses, he simply aligns himself beside right.
4.11
The Master said, The junzi cherishes virtue, the small man cherishes land. The junzi cherishes the examples men set, the small man cherishes the bounty they bestow.
4.12
The Master said, If one allows oneself to follow profit in one's behavior, there will be many with cause for complaint.
4.13
The Master said, Can li and deference be employed to manage a state. What is there to this? If one cannot use li and deference to manage a state, what can one do with li?
4.14
The Master said, Do not be concerned that you have no position, be concerned that you have what it takes to merit a position. Do not be concerned that no one recognizes you, seek that which is worthy of recognition.
4.15
The Master said, "Shen, a single thread runs through my dao."
Master Zeng said, "Yes."
The Master went out, and the other disciples asked, "What did he mean?"
Master Zeng said, "The Master's dao is nothing other than loyalty and reciprocity."
4.16
The Master said, The junzi comprehends according to right, the small man comprehends according to profit.
4.17
The Master said, When you see a worthy, think of becoming equal to him; when you see an unworthy person, survey yourself within.
4.18
The Master said, When one has several times urged one's parents, observe their intentions; if they are not inclined to follow your urgings, maintain respectfulness and do not disobey; labor on their behalf and bear no complaint.
4.19
The Master said, When one's parents are alive, make no distant journeys; when you travel, have a set destination.
4.20
The Master said, One who does not alter his late father's dao for three years may be called filial.
4.21
The Master said, One cannot fail to know the ages of one's parents: on one hand, these are a source of happiness, on the other hand of fear.
4.22
The Master said, The ancients were wary of speaking because they were ashamed if their conduct did not match up.
4.23
The Master said, Rarely has anyone missed the mark through self-constraint.
4.24
The Master said, The junzi wishes to be slow of speech and quick in action.
4.25
The Master said, Virtue is never alone; it always has neighbors.
4.26
Ziyou said, If one is insistent in serving one's ruler, one will be disgraced. If one is insistent with friends, they will become distant.