The Analects of Confucius

21 The Master said, When I walk with two others, I’m bound to find my teacher there. I single out their good points and pursue them, note their bad points and make my corrections

This man doesn’t say much, but when he does speak, he’s sure to hit the mark

10 The Master said to Yan Yuan, When needed, to act; when cast aside, to retire—only you and I know how to do that—isn’t that so?

The Master said, Virtue not sufficiently practiced, learning not sufficiently digested, to hear what is right and not be able to do it, to have shortcomings and not be able to remedy them—these are the things that I worry about.

The humane person wants standing, and so he helps others to gain standing. He wants achievement, and so he helps others to achieve. To know how to proceed on the analogy of what is close at hand—this can be called the humane approach

Fan Chi asked about wisdom. The Master said, Work to lead the people toward what is right. Respect the gods and spirits but keep them at a distance—this can be called wisdom.

When he asked about humaneness, the Master said, Humaneness means tending to difficulties first and leaving benefits for later—this can be called humaneness

The Master said, Where solid qualities outweigh refinement, you have rusticity. Where refinement outweighs solid qualities, you have the clerkly style. Refinement and solid qualities beautifully balanced—then you have the gentleman

7 The Master said, As for Hui, he could go three months without in his mind ever departing from humaneness. The others can do so for a day or a month, but that is all!

Confucius replied, There was Yan Hui—he loved learning, never took his anger out on others, never repeated his mistakes.

hide your distaste for someone and become that person’s friend—Zuoqiu Ming would be ashamed of that, and I would be ashamed too