Chapter 15: 卫灵公第十五 — Lunyu — Taiyi Pavilion Chapter 15: 卫灵公第十五
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Duke Ling of Wei asked Confucius about military formations. Confucius replied, "I have heard something about ritual vessels and ceremonies, but I have never studied military matters." The next day, he left Wei.
In Chen, they ran out of food. His followers became so ill that none could rise. Zilu, with evident displeasure, said, "Does even a gentleman have to endure such hardship?" Confucius said, "A gentleman holds fast to his principles even in hardship. A petty person, when faced with hardship, abandons all restraint."
Confucius said, "Zigong, do you think I am one who learns many things and remembers them?" Zigong replied, "Yes, is that not so?" Confucius said, "No, I have one principle that runs through everything."
Confucius said, "Zilu, those who truly understand virtue are few."
Confucius said, "Was it not Shun who ruled by non-action? What did he do? He simply made himself reverent and sat facing south with proper dignity."
Zizhang asked about how to conduct oneself in the world. Confucius said, "If your words are loyal and trustworthy, and your actions are sincere and respectful, you will succeed even among the barbarian tribes. But if your words are disloyal and untrustworthy, and your actions insincere and disrespectful, can you succeed even in your own village? When standing, see these principles before you; when riding in a carriage, see them leaning against the crossbar. Only then can you act effectively." Zizhang wrote these words on his sash.
Confucius said, "How straight was Shiyu! When the state had the Way, he was straight as an arrow; when the state had lost the Way, he was still straight as an arrow. How noble was Qu Boyu! When the state had the Way, he served in office; when the state had lost the Way, he could roll up his principles and hide them away."
Confucius said, "When you should speak with someone and do not, you lose that person. When you should not speak with someone and do, you waste your words. The wise person neither loses people nor wastes words."
Confucius said, "The determined scholar and the humane person do not seek to live at the expense of humanity. They will sacrifice their lives to fulfill humanity."
Zigong asked about practicing humanity. Confucius said, "A craftsman who wants to do good work must first sharpen his tools. When living in a state, serve the worthy among its officials and befriend the humane among its scholars."
Yan Yuan asked about governing a state. Confucius said, "Follow the calendar of Xia, ride in the carriage of Yin, wear the ceremonial cap of Zhou, and for music, use the Shao and Wu dances. Banish the tunes of Zheng and keep glib talkers at a distance. The tunes of Zheng are licentious, and glib talkers are dangerous."
Confucius said, "If a person has no long-term concerns, they will surely have immediate worries."
Confucius said, "It is hopeless! I have never seen anyone who loves virtue as much as they love physical beauty."
Confucius said, "Was Zang Wenzhong not one who stole his position? He knew the worth of Liu Xiahui but would not stand with him in office."
Confucius said, "If you hold yourself to high standards and make few demands on others, you will keep resentment at a distance."
Confucius said, "For those who never ask 'What should I do? What should I do?' I truly do not know what to do with them!" Confucius said, "Spending the whole day together, never speaking of what is right, and indulging in petty cleverness—this is truly difficult!" Confucius said, "The gentleman takes rightness as his foundation, acts according to ritual, speaks with modesty, and completes things with trustworthiness. Such is the gentleman!" Confucius said, "The gentleman worries about his own lack of ability, not that others do not recognize him."
Confucius said, "The gentleman hates to die without having his name known."
Confucius said, "The gentleman seeks from himself; the petty person seeks from others."
Confucius said, "The gentleman is dignified but not contentious, sociable but not partisan."
Confucius said, "The gentleman does not promote someone based on their words alone, nor dismiss their words based on who they are."
Zigong asked, "Is there one word that can guide one's entire life?" Confucius said, "Perhaps it is 'reciprocity'—do not do to others what you do not wish for yourself."
Confucius said, "As for people, whom do I condemn and whom do I praise? If I praise someone, it is because they have been tested. It is through such people that the Three Dynasties walked the straight path."
Confucius said, "I can still recall the times when scribes left blank spaces in their records. When someone had a horse, they would lend it to others to ride. But such practices are gone now!" Confucius said, "Clever words ruin virtue. Small impatience ruins great plans."
Confucius said, "If everyone dislikes someone, you must examine them carefully. If everyone likes someone, you must also examine them carefully."
Confucius said, "People can broaden the Way, not the Way broaden people."
Confucius said, "To have a fault and not correct it—that is truly a fault."
Confucius said, "I once spent a whole day without eating and a whole night without sleeping, thinking. It was of no use. It is better to learn."
Confucius said, "The gentleman plans for the Way, not for food. Plowing may lead to hunger; learning may lead to a salary. The gentleman worries about the Way, not about poverty."
Confucius said, "If you grasp something with wisdom but cannot hold it with humanity, even if you gain it, you will surely lose it. If you grasp it with wisdom and hold it with humanity, but do not approach it with dignity, the people will not respect you. If you grasp it with wisdom, hold it with humanity, and approach it with dignity, but do not act according to ritual, it is still not perfect."
Confucius said, "The gentleman cannot be judged by small matters but can be entrusted with great responsibilities. The petty person cannot be entrusted with great responsibilities but can be judged by small matters."
Confucius said, "The people need humanity more than fire and water. I have seen people die from stepping into fire and water, but I have never seen anyone die from stepping into humanity!" Confucius said, "When faced with humanity, do not yield even to your teacher."
Confucius said, "The gentleman is steadfast in principle, not rigid in minor commitments."
Confucius said, "When serving a ruler, attend to your duties first, and then think about your salary."
Confucius said, "In teaching, there should be no distinctions of class."
Confucius said, "Those whose paths differ cannot plan together."
Confucius said, "Words should convey meaning, and that is enough."
The blind musician Mian came to see Confucius. When he reached the steps, Confucius said, "Here are the steps." When he reached the mat, Confucius said, "Here is the mat." After everyone was seated, Confucius told him, "So-and-so is here, and so-and-so is here."
After Mian left, Zizhang asked, "Is this the proper way to treat a blind musician?" Confucius said, "Yes, this is indeed the proper way to assist a blind musician."