Dr. J. Taylor Asian HumanitiesHum 2410
The Confucian Tradition in Chinese History
From the Analects of Confucius
2.1 The Master said: “He who rules by virtue is like the polestar, which remains unmoving in its mansion while all the other stars revolve respectfully around it.”
2.2 The Master said: “The three hundred Poems are summed up in one single phrase: ‘Think no evil.’”
2.3 The Master said: “Lead them by political maneuvers, restrain them with punishments: the people will become cunning and shameless. Lead them by virtue, restrain them with ritual: they will develop a sense of shame and a sense of participation.”
2.13 Zigong asked about the true gentleman. The Master said: “He preaches only what he practices.”
2.14 The Master said: “The gentleman considers the whole rather than the parts. The small man considers the parts rather than the whole.”
2.15 The Master said: “To study without thinking is futile. To Think without studying is dangerous.”
2.17 The Master said: “Zilus, I am going to teach you what knowledge is. To take what you know for what you know, and what you do not know for what you do not know, that is knowledge indeed.”
2.20 Lord Ji Kang asked: “What should I do in order to make the people respectful, loyal, and zealous?” The Master said: “Approach them with dignity and they will be respectful. Be yourself a good son and a kind father, and they will be loyal. Raise the good and train the incompetent, and they will be zealous.”
2.24 The Master said: “To worship gods that are not yours, that is toadyism. Not to act when justice commands, that is cowardice.”
4.7 The Master said: “your faults define you. From your very faults one can know your quality.”
4.11 The Master said: “A gentleman seeks virtue; a small man seeks land. A gentleman seeks justice; a small man seeks favors.”
4.14 The Master said: “Do not worry if you are without a position; worry lest you do not deserve a position. Do not worry if you are not famous; worry lest you do not deserve to be famous.”
4.16 The Master said: “A gentleman considers what is just; a small man considers what is expedient.”
4.17 The Master said: “When you see a worthy man, seek to emulate him. When you see a worthy man, examine yourself.”
4.19 The Master said: “While your parents are alive, do not travel afar. If you have to travel, you must leave an address.”
4.21 The Master said: “Always keep in mind the age of your parents. Let this thought be both your joy and your worry.”
4.24 The Master said: “A gentleman should be slow to speak and prompt to act.”
12.16 The Master said: “A gentleman brings out the good that is in people, he does not bring out the bad. A vulgar man does the opposite.”