Practical Wisdom for Daily Life — The Analects

The Duke Ling of Wei asked Confucius about tactics. He replied that he had heard all about sacrificial vessels, but he had not learned military matters. On this, he took his departure the next day. When he was in Chan, their provisions were exhausted, and his followers became so ill that they were unable to rise. Tsze-lu, with evident dissatisfaction, said, has the superior man likewise to endure in this way. The superior man may indeed have to endure want, but the mean man, when he is in want, gives way to unbridled licence. Ts'ze, you think I am one who learns many things and keeps them in memory. No. I seek a unity all-pervading. Yu, those who know virtue are few. May not Shun be instanced as having governed efficiently without exertion. He did nothing but gravely and reverently occupy his royal seat. Let his words be sincere and truthful, and his actions honourable and careful. Such conduct may be practised among the rude tribes of the South or the North. Tsze-chang wrote these counsels on the end of his sash. Truly straightforward was the historiographer Yu. When good government prevailed he was like an arrow. When bad government prevailed he was like an arrow. A superior man indeed is Chu Po-yu. When good government prevails he is to be found in office. When bad government prevails he can roll his principles up and keep them in his breast.

When a man may be spoken with, not to speak to him is to err in reference to the man. When a man may not be spoken with, to speak to him is to err in reference to our words. The determined scholar and the man of virtue will not seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. The mechanic who wishes to do his work well must first sharpen his tools. If a man take no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand. It is all over. I have not seen one who loves virtue as he loves beauty. Was not Tsang Wan like one who had stolen his situation. He knew the virtue and the talents of Hui of Liu-hsia, and yet did not procure that he should stand with him in court. He who requires much from himself and little from others will keep himself from being the object of resentment. When a man is not in the habit of saying, what shall I think of this, what shall I think of this, I can indeed do nothing with him. The superior man is distressed by his want of ability. He is not distressed by men's not knowing him. What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others. He does not promote a man simply on account of his words, nor does he put aside good words because of the man.

Tsze-kung asked whether there is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life. Is not reciprocity such a word. What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others. Specious words confound virtue. Want of forbearance in small matters confounds great plans. When the multitude hate a man, it is necessary to examine into the case. When the multitude like a man, it is necessary to examine into the case. A man can enlarge the principles which he follows. Those principles do not enlarge the man. To have faults and not to reform them, this indeed should be pronounced having faults. I have been the whole day without eating, and the whole night without sleeping, occupied with thinking. It was of no use. The better plan is to learn. The object of the superior man is truth. Food is not his object. Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. Let every man consider virtue as what devolves on himself. He may not yield the performance of it even to his teacher. In teaching there should be no distinction of classes. Those whose courses are different cannot lay plans for one another. In language it is simply required that it convey the meaning. The Music-master Mien having called upon him, when they came to the steps, the Master said, here are the steps. When they came to the mat, here is the mat. When all were seated, so and so is here, so and so is here. Tsze-chang asked if it was the rule to tell those things to the Music-master. Yes. This is certainly the rule for those who lead the blind.