Selections from the Sacred Confucian Analects – Books 15 and 16, Part 1 of 2

Today, we are pleased to present excerpts from Books 15 and 16 of the “Confucian Analects,” a collection of teachings and philosophy by Master Confucius, compiled by His disciples, and translated by James Legge. The wise Master’s teachings expound on the importance of being virtuous, kind, humble and respectful, as well as the advantages of choosing upright, sincere, and wise friends.

“[…] Tsze-chang asked how a man should conduct himself, so as to be everywhere appreciated. The Master said, ‘Let his words be sincere and truthful, and his actions honorable and careful; such conduct may be practised among the [people] of the South or the North. If his words be not sincere and truthful and his actions not honorable and careful, will he, with such conduct, be appreciated, even in his neighborhood? […]”

“The Master said, ‘He who requires much from himself and little from others, will keep himself from being the object of resentment.’ […]”

“The Master said, ‘The superior man in everything considers righteousness to be essential. He performs it according to the rules of propriety. He brings it forth in humility. He completes it with sincerity. This is indeed a superior man.’”

“The Master said, ‘What the superior man seeks, is in himself. What the mean man seeks, is in others.’”

“The Master said, ‘The superior man is dignified, but does not wrangle. He is sociable, but not a partisan.’”

“Tsze-kung asked, saying, ‘Is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one’s life?’ The Master said, ‘Is not RECIPROCITY such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.’”

“The Master said, ‘Specious words confound virtue. Want of forbearance in small matters confounds great plans.’”

“The Master said, ‘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.’”

“The Master said, ‘To have faults and not to reform them, this, indeed, should be pronounced having faults.’ […]”

“The Master said, ‘The object of the superior man is truth. Food is not his object. There is plowing; even in that there is sometimes want. So with learning; emolument may be found in it. The superior man is anxious lest he should not get truth; he is not anxious lest poverty should come upon him.’ […]”

“The Master said, ‘Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.’”