Confucius was despondent and said, “May I ask what is meant by complete truth?” The stranger replied, “Complete truth is pure sincerity at its most perfect. Without pure sincerity one cannot move others. If one forces oneself to weep, however convincingly he does so, it is not true sorrow. If one forces oneself to…
Confucius looked disconsolate and sighed. …”I was twice driven from Lu; I had to flee from Wei; the tree under which I taught was cut down in Song; I was held in a state of siege between Chen and Cai. I do not know what transgressions I had committed that brought about the hardship…
Book 31 is a brief 5 page vignette of an encounter between Confucius and an anonymous Fisherman. While on a roadway adjacent to a lake Confucius and his traveling companions are taking a break from the road. They are approached by this stranger who steps down from his boat. The man is described in…
The vain take pleasure in every good opinion they hear about themselves (abstracted entirely from the point of view of utility, and just as much removed from truth or falsity), just as they suffer from every bad opinion. This is because they submit – they feel submissive – to both good and bad opinions…
Wu Yue said, “The small man seeks wealth. The superior man seeks renown. They differ in the way they frame their mind and transform their nature. However, as they both cast away what they possess in pursuit of what they lack, they are alike. Hence it is said, ‘Do not be a small man;…
Zizhang said,“In the past Jie and Zhou reveled in being sovereignand possessed all the wealth in the world.If you now say to a grasping man, ‘Your conductis like that of Jie and Zhou,’ he will look contriteand will object to the charge,for even the smallest men despise them. Confucius and Mo Di, on the…
Zizhang asked Man Goude, “Why do you not follow the virtuous path? Unless you follow such a path you will not be believed in you will not be appointed to office, you will not acquire gain. Therefore, whether you consider it from the standpoint of reputation or gain, righteousness is the right action. If…
Prince Mu of Zhongshan said to Zhanzi, “My body is here by the streams and the sea, but my mind is in the court of Wei. What counsel could you offer?” Zhanzi replied, “Value your life in the right way. When one values one’s life in the right way, gain will seem insignificant.” Prince…
Zengzi was living in the state of Wei. He wore a robe of quilted hemp and no outer garment. He appeared rough and emaciated, his hands and feet had hard callouses. He would go three days without lighting a fire and ten years without a new coat. If he put his hat on straight,…
The Penumbrae asked the Shadow, “A moment ago you were looking down and now you are looking up; a moment ago you were sitting down but now, you are standing up; a moment ago you were walking, but now you have stopped. Why is this?” The Shadow replied, “Honored Sirs, why…
