Book 5
5.1
The Master said, To settle in ren is the fairest course. If one chooses not to dwell amidst ren, whence will come knowledge?
5.2
The Master characterized Nan Rong: "If the dao prevailed in the state, he would not be discarded; if the dao did not prevail in the state, he would evade corporal punishment." And he wed his elder brother's daughter to him.
5.3
The Master characterized Zijian thus: "He is a junzi! If Lu truly lacks any junzis, where has he come from?"
5.4
Zigong said, "What am I like?" The Master said, "You are a vessel."
"What vessel?"
"A vessel of ancestral sacrifice."
5.5
Someone said, "Yong is ren but he has no craft in speech."
The Master said, "Of what use is craft in speech? Those who parry others with glib tongues are frequent objects of detestation. I don't know whether Yong is ren, but of what use is craft in speech?"
5.6
The Master gave Qidiao Kai leave to take up a position. He replied, "I'm not yet prepared to fulfill this faithfully." The Master was pleased.
5.7
The Master said, "The dao does not prevail! I shall set out over the sea on a raft. I expect that Yóu will be willing to accompany me."
Zilu heard of this and was pleased. The Master said, "Yóu's love of valor exceeds mine; there is nowhere to get the lumber."
5.8
Meng Wubo asked, "Is Zilu ren?" The Master said, "I don't know."
When asked again, the Master said, "Yóu may be placed in charge of managing the military exactions for a state of a thousand war chariots. I don't know whether he is ren.""What about Qiu?"
The Master said, "Qiu may be made steward of a city of a thousand households or a feudal estate of a hundred war chariots. I don't know whether he is ren."
"What about Chi?"
The Master said, "Girt with a sash and standing in court, Chi may be entrusted with the role of greeting visitors. I don't know whether he is ren."
5.9
The Master addressed Zigong, saying, "Who is superior, you or Hui?"
"How could I dare even to gaze up at Hui? When Hui hears one part, he understands all ten; I hear one and understand two." The Master said, "Yes, you do not come up to him. Neither you nor I come up to him."
5.10
Zai Yu napped in his chamber during the day. The Master said, "Rotten wood cannot be carved; a wall of dung cannot be whitewashed. What point is there in blaming Yu?"
The Master said, "It used to be that with people, when I heard what they said I trusted their conduct would match. Now I listen to what they say and observe their conduct. It is because of Yu that I have changed."
5.11
The Master said, "I have never seen anyone who was incorruptible." Someone replied by mentioning Shen Cheng. The Master said, "Cheng is full of desires. How could he be called incorruptible?"
5.12
Zigong said, "What I do not wish others to do to me, I do not wish to do to others."
The Master said, "Si, this is a level you have not yet reached."
5.13
Zigong said, The Master's emblem of patterns is something we may learn of. The Master's statements concerning our nature and the dao of Tian are things we may not learn of.
5.14
When Zilu heard something new and had not yet learned to practice it, his only fear was that he would hear something else new.
5.15
Zigong asked, "Why is Kong Wenzi referred to by the posthumous title of Wen?"
The Master said, "He was bright and loved learning, and unashamed to ask questions of those below him. That is why he is referred to as Wen."
5.16
The Master characterized Zichan thus: "There were in him four aspects of the dao of the junzi. He was reverent in his comportment, he was respectfully attentive in service to his superiors, he was generous in nurturing the people, he was righteous in directing the people."
5.17
The Master said, Yan Pingzhong was good at interacting with people. Even after long acquaintance, he remained respectfully attentive.
5.18
The Master said, When Zang Wenzhong created a chamber for his great turtle, he had the beams painted with mountains, and the supporting posts with water plants. What wisdom he had!
5.19
Zizhang asked, "Chief minister Ziwen when thrice appointed chief minister showed no sign of pleasure; when thrice dismissed, he showed no sign of displeasure and duly reported to the new chief minister the affairs of the old. What would you say of him?"
The Master said, "He was loyal."
"Was he ren?"
ren?" "I don't know. Wherein would he be
"When Cuizi assassinated the ruler of Qi, Chen Wenzi possessed ten teams of horses, but he cast all that away and took his leave. Arriving at another state, he said, ‘These men are like our grandee Cuizi,' and took his leave. Arriving at yet another state, he said, ‘These men are like our grandee Cuizi,' and took his leave. What would you say of him?"
The Master said, "He was pure."
"Was he ren?"
"I don't know. Wherein would he be ren?"
5.20
Ji Wenzi always pondered thrice before acting. The Master heard of this and said, "Twice is enough."
5.21
The Master said, As for Ning Wuzi, when the dao prevailed in his state, he was wise; when the dao did not prevail, he was stupid. His wisdom may be matched; his stupidity is unmatchable."
5.22
The Master was in Chen. He said, "Let us return! Let us return! The young men of our group are bold but simple. They weave an emblem but do not know how to trim it."
5.23
The Master said, Bo Yi and Shu Qi did not recite old wrongs. For this reason, their complaints were rare.
5.24
The Master said, Who says Weisheng Gao is straightforward. If someone asked him for vinegar, he would borrow it from a neighbor and give it.
5.25
The Master said, Crafty words, an ingratiating expression, obsequious conduct – Zuo Qiuming would be ashamed of such behavior, and I would be ashamed of it as well. To hide one's resentment and befriend another – Zuo Qiuming would be ashamed of such behavior, and I would be ashamed of it as well.
5.26
Yan Yuan and Ji Lu were sitting in attendance. The Master said, "Why not each of us speak his heart's desire?"
Zilu said, "Let me drive a team of horses and be dressed in a light fur jacket side by side with friends; even were we all in tatters, we would be free of resentment."
Yan Yuan said, "I would wish not to boast of my virtues nor cause others labor."
Zilu said, "We would like to hear the Master's wish."
The Master said, "That the old are content with me, my friends trust me, and the young cherish me."
5.27
The Master said, Enough! I have yet to see anyone who can recognize his own errors and bring charges against himself within.
5.28
The Master said, In a town of ten households, there will surely be one who is as loyal and trustworthy as I. But there will be none who loves learning as much!