Book I · Xue Er

1.1

The Master said: "To learn and at due times to practise what one has learned — is that not a pleasure? To have friends come from afar — is that not a joy? To be unknown to others and feel no resentment — is that not to be a gentleman?"

1.2

Master You said: "Few who are filial to their parents and respectful to their elder brothers are fond of offending their superiors; and none who are not fond of offending their superiors are fond of stirring up disorder. The gentleman attends to the root; when the root is established, the Way grows from it. Filial piety and brotherly respect — are they not the root of humaneness?"

1.3

The Master said: "Clever words and an ingratiating face — rarely are they found with humaneness."

1.4

Master Zeng said: "Each day I examine myself on three points: in acting on behalf of others, have I been less than loyal? In dealing with friends, have I been less than trustworthy? Have I passed on what I have not myself practised?"

1.5

The Master said: "To govern a state of a thousand chariots: be attentive to affairs and trustworthy; be sparing in expenditure and love the people; employ the people only at the proper seasons."

1.6

The Master said: "A young man should be filial at home and respectful to his elders abroad, careful and trustworthy, loving all broadly and drawing near to those who are humane. If, after doing this, he has strength to spare, let him use it to study culture."

1.7

Zixia said: "One who esteems worthiness in place of beauty; who in serving his father and mother can exert all his strength; who in serving his lord can devote his whole person; who in dealing with friends keeps his word — though others may say he has not studied, I would certainly call him learned."

1.8

The Master said: "If a gentleman is not grave, he will not inspire awe, and his learning will not be firm. Hold to loyalty and trustworthiness. Have no friends who are not your equals. When you have faults, do not fear to correct them."

1.9

Master Zeng said: "Be careful at the end of a parent's life and remember them long after; then the virtue of the people will return to fullness."

1.10

Ziqin asked Zigong: "When the Master comes to a state, he always hears about its government. Does he seek this, or is it given to him?" Zigong said: "The Master gets it by being cordial, good, courteous, temperate and deferential. The Master's way of seeking it — is it not different from the way others seek it?"

1.11

The Master said: "While a man's father is alive, observe his intentions; when his father is dead, observe his conduct. If for three years he does not change his father's ways, he may be called filial."

1.12

Master You said: "In the practice of ritual, harmony is what is most valued. In the way of the former kings, this was the beautiful thing; in matters small and great they followed it. Yet there is something that will not work: to know harmony and seek harmony without regulating it by ritual — this too will not work."

1.13

Master You said: "When trustworthiness is close to rightness, one's word can be kept. When courtesy is close to ritual, one keeps far from shame and disgrace. If in relying on others one does not lose those one should be close to, one can be regarded as a model."

1.14

The Master said: "A gentleman who in eating does not seek to be full, in dwelling does not seek comfort, who is quick in action and careful in speech, and who goes to those who possess the Way to be set right — such a man may be called fond of learning."

1.15

Zigong said: "Poor without flattering, rich without arrogance — what do you think of that?" The Master said: "It is good. But not as good as being poor yet joyful, rich yet loving ritual." Zigong said: "The Book of Songs says: 'As if cut, as if filed, as if carved, as if polished.'¹ Is that what you mean?" The Master said: "Ci, now at last I can talk with you about the Songs! I told you what went before, and you knew what was to come."

1.16

The Master said: "Do not worry that others do not know you; worry that you do not know others."

1. Book of Songs, ode 55, describing the refinement of a gentleman as the working of bone, ivory, jade and stone. ↩