Confucius said, “The noble person is self-possessed and relaxed. The small person is always worried.”
Anxiety
8.10
Confucius said, “If a person who loves only valor is faced with poverty, chaos ensues. If a person who lacks humaneness faces stress, chaos ensues.”
9.29
Confucius said, “The wise are not confused, the humane are not anxious, and the brave are not afraid.”
12.4
Sima Niu asked Confucius about being a noble person.
Confucius replied, “The noble person has no anxiety or fear.”
Sima Niu replied, “No anxiety or fear? That’s all it takes to be a noble person?”
Confucius replied, “If you look within yourself and find nothing to be ashamed of, how could you have any anxiety or fear?”
14.28
Confucius said, “The Way of a noble person has three points that I haven’t achieved: humaneness without anxiety, wisdom without doubts, and courage without fear.”
Zigong said, “You’ve just described yourself.”
17.15
Confucius said, “Is it really possible to work side-by-side with a vulgar person in serving a ruler? Before he gets what he wants, all he cares about is getting it. Once he gets it, all he worries about is losing it. Once he starts worrying about losing it, there’s nothing he won’t do.”