Confucius

1
Confucius Analects

• The Master said, A clever tongue and fine
  appearance are rarely signs of
• Goodness.
• A young person should be filial when at home and
• respectful of his elders when in public.
  Conscientious and trustworthy, he should
• display a general care for the masses but feel a
  particular affection for those who
• are Good. If he has any strength left over after
  manifesting these virtues in practice,
• let him devote it to learning the cultural arts
  (wen ).

2
Confucius Analects

• The Master said, When someones father is still
  alive, observe his intentions
• after his father has passed away, observe his
  conduct. If for three years he
• does not alter the ways of his father, he may be
  called a filial son.

3
Confucius Analects

• The Master said, If you try to guide the common
  people with coercive regulations (zheng ) and
  keep them in line with punishments, the common
  people will become evasive and will have no sense
  of shame. If, however, you guide them with
  Virtue, and keep them in line by means of ritual,
  the people will have a sense of shame and will
  rectify themselves.
• The Master said, Do not be concerned about
  whether or not others know
• you be concerned about whether or not you know
  others.

4
Confucius Analects

• The Master said, At fifteen, I set my mind upon
  learning at thirty, I took
• my place in society1 at forty, I became free of
  doubts2 at fifty, I understood
• Heavens Mandate3 at sixty, my ear was attuned
  and at seventy, I could follow
• my hearts desires without overstepping the
  bounds of propriety.

5
Confucius Analects

• Meng Yizi asked about filial piety. The Master
  replied, Do not disobey. Later, Fan Chi was
  driving the Masters chariot. The Master said to
  him, Just now Meng Yizi asked me about filial
  piety, and I answered, Do not disobey.
• Fan Chi said, What did you mean by that?
• The Master replied, When your parents are alive,
  serve them in accordance with the rites when
  they pass away, bury them in accordance with the
  rites and sacrifice to them in accordance with
  the rites.

6
Confucius Analects

• Master said, If you learn without thinking about
  what you have learned, you will be lost. If you
  think without learning, however, you will fall
  into danger.
• Working from the wrong starting point will lead
  to nothing but harm.

7
Confucius Analects

• Duke Ai asked, What can I do to induce the
  common people to be obedient?
• Confucius replied, Raise up the straight and
  apply them to the crooked, and
• the people will submit to you. If you raise up
  the crooked and apply them to the
• straight, the people will never submit.

8
Confucius Analects

• Kangzi asked, How can I cause the common people
  to be respectful, dutiful, and industrious? The
  Master said, Oversee them with dignity, and the
  people will be respectful oversee them with
  filiality and kindness, and the people will be
  dutiful
• oversee them by raising up the accomplished and
  instructing those who are
• unable, and the people will be industrious.