Confucius said, “It’s the humaneness that makes the neighborhood. If you decide to live in a neighborhood that lacks humaneness, how can you be wise?”
Book 4
4.2
Confucius said, “If you don’t have humaneness, you can’t deal with long stretches of hardship or long stretches of comfort. A humane person feels at home with humaneness. The merely clever seek humaneness because they think it will help them get ahead.”
4.3
Confucius said, “Only a humane person can truly like or dislike other people.”
4.4
Confucius said, “If you really set your mind on humaneness, you will not resent anyone.”
4.5
Confucius said, “Everyone wants money and fame, but if you can’t get them by following the Way, don’t go after them. Everyone hates being broke and disgraced, but if that’s what you get for following the Way, then don’t reject it.
“If a noble person abandons humaneness, how can they be worthy of being called a noble person? A noble person doesn’t abandon humaneness, even for the space of a meal. A noble person clings to humaneness, even in times of rushing or crisis.”
4.6
Confucius said, “I’ve never met a man who loved humaneness and hated what is not humane. If you love humaneness, you’ll put nothing above it. If you hate what is not humane, you won’t let it near you.
“Are there people who can devote all their strength to humaneness, even for one day? Well, I’ve never met anyone who lacked the strength to do it, anyway. Maybe there are people like that, but I haven’t met them.
4.7
Confucius said, “People make mistakes according to the kind of person they are. Look at a person’s mistakes. That will tell you what kind of person they are.”
4.8
Confucius said, “Hear the Way in the morning, die in peace that night.”
4.9
Confucius said, “If a scholar sets his heart on the Way but is ashamed to eat poor food or wear shabby clothes—this isn’t someone worth talking to.”
4.10
Confucius said, “When dealing with the world, the noble person isn’t prejudiced for or against anything. They just do what’s right.”
4.11
Confucius said, “The noble person worries about setting a good example. The small person cares about property. The noble person does what is right. The small person looks for special treatment.”
4.12
Confucius said, “If all you do is chase after profit, people will resent you.”
4.13
Confucius said, “If you can lead with ritual and deference, what else do you need? If you can’t lead with ritual and deference, what good will ritual do you?”
4.14
Confucius said, “Don’t worry because you don’t have a position. Worry about having what it takes to have a position.
“Don’t worry about not being well-known. Worry about being worthy of being well-known.”
4.15
Confucius said, “Zeng Can, my Way has a single thread running through it.”
Zeng Can replied, “Yes.”
After Confucius left, the other students asked, “What did he mean by that?”
Zeng Can replied, “Our teacher’s way is just to be sincere and fair.”
4.16
Confucius said, “The noble person knows what’s fair. The small person knows what pays.”
4.17
Confucius said, “When you see a good person, think of becoming their equal. When you see someone who is not worthy, turn back and look at yourself.”
4.18
Confucius said, “When you serve your parents, it’s okay to gently correct them. If you see that they don’t want to listen, though, be respectful. Continue working for their benefit and don’t complain.”
4.19
Confucius said, “While your parents are alive, it’s better not to travel too far away. If you do have to travel, though, you should stick to a fixed itinerary.”
4.20
Confucius said, “If you hold back from changing your father’s ways for three years, you can be called filial.”
4.21
Confucius said, “You should always be mindful of your parents’ ages. It’s a cause of both joy and anxiety.”
4.22
Confucius said, “The ancients were not eager to speak because they were afraid their actions might not live up to their words.”
4.23
Confucius said, “Very few go off-track if they show restraint.”
4.24
Confucius said, “A noble person is slow to speak and quick to act.”
4.25
Confucius said, “Virtue never stands alone. It always has neighbors.”
4.26
Ziyou said, “If you’re overbearing with your ruler, you’ll be disgraced. If you’re overbearing with your friends, they’ll become distant.”