Analects
Below are some selections from the Analects to give you an idea of how Confucius ideas were recorded. Brevity is one of the criteria for selection.
Book 1 - 3
The Master said, “Clever talk and a pretentious manner are seldom found in the Good.”
Book 1 – 16
The Master said, “(The good man) does not grieve that other people do not recognize his merits. His only anxiety is lest he should fail to recognize theirs.”
Book 2 – 1
The Master said, He who rules by moral force (te) is like the pole-star, which remains in its place while all the lesser stars do homage to it.”
Book 2 – 2
The Master said, If out of the three hundred Songs (refers to the Book of Songs) I had to take one phrase to cover all my teaching, I would say, “Let there be no evil in your thoughts.”
Book 2 – 14
The Master said, A gentleman can see a question from all sides without bias. The small man is biased and can see a question only from one side.”
Book 3 – 24
When talking to the Grand Master (the maestro, music-master who was always a blind man) of Lu about music, the Master said, Their music (the ancients) in so far as one can find out about it began with a strict unison. Soon the musicians were given more liberty (to improvise); but the tone remained harmonious, brilliant, consistent, right on till the close.
Book 4 – 16
The Master said, A gentleman takes as much trouble to discover what is right s lesser men take to discover who will pay.
Book 4 – 24
The Master said, A gentleman covets the reputation of being slow in word but prompt in deed.
Book 4- 25
The Master said, Moral force (te) never dwells in solitude; it will always bring neighbors.
Book 7 – 6
The Master said, Set your heart upon the Way, support yourself by its power, lean upon Goodness, seek distraction in the arts.
Book 7 – 24
The Master took four subjects for his teaching: culture, conduct of affairs, loyalty to superiors and the keeping of promises.
Book 7 – 36
The Master said, A true gentleman is calm and at ease; the Small man is fretful and ill at ease.
Book 9 – 4
There were four things that the Master wholly eschewed: he took nothing for granted, he was never over-positive, never obstinate, never egotistic.
These sayings are chosen to encourage you to go and seek what else he has to say. Selections are taken from:
Confucius, Analects, Arthur Waley, trans. Wordsworth Edition, 1996. (English and Chinese edition)
If you have read this article, email me: bmori@calpoly.edu