Book 9
9.1
The Master rarely spoke of profit, fate, or ren.
9.2
A resident of Da Lane said, "How great is Confucius! He has studied broadly, and has no accomplishment by which he is known."
The Master heard of it and said to his disciples, "What shall I master? Charioteering? Archery? I'll master charioteering!"
9.3
The Master said, The hemp ceremonial cap is what is called for in li. Nowadays plain silk is used. That is thrifty. I follow the general trend. To make one's bows at the base of the steps is what is called for in li. Nowadays people bow after ascending. That is arrogant. Though it goes against the general trend, I make my bows below.
9.4
The Master forbade four things: One must not act on guesses, one must not demand absolute certainty, one must not be stubborn, one must not insist on oneself.
9.5
When the Master was in danger in the state of Kuang, he said, "King Wen is dead, but his patterns live on here in me, do they not? If Tian wished these patterns to perish, I would not have been able to partake of them. Since Tian has not destroyed these patterns, what harm can the people of Kuang do to me?"
9.6
The Grand Steward asked Zigong, "Your Master is surely a Sage, is he not? He is skilled in so many things!" Zigong replied,
"It is actually Tian which allows him to be a great Sage; he is skilled in many things besides."The Master heard of it. "What does the Grand Steward know of me?" he said. "When I was young I was of humble station, and so became skilled in many rude things. Is the junzi skilled in many things? No, not many."
9.7
Lao said, The Master stated, "I was not tried in office, hence I became skilled in arts."
9.8
The Master said, Do I have knowledge? No, I do not. If even a bumpkin asks a question of me, I am all empty. I simply tap at both ends of the question until I exhaust it.
9.9
The Master said, The phoenix does not arrive, the River does not produce its charts I am finished!
9.10
Whenever the Master saw someone wearing mourning clothes, or a grandee dressed in court robes, or a person who was blind even if they were young upon catching sight of them, if seated he would stand, if walking past he would quicken his step.