Confucius said, “It’s only after the cold of winter sets in that we realize that the pine and the cypress are the last to fade.”
Hardship
11.2
Confucius said, “Of all my students who shared my troubles with me in Chen and Cai, none have returned through my gate since.”
11.23
When Confucius and his students were ambushed in Kuang, Yan Hui fell behind. Later, when they reunited, Confucius said, “I thought you had died!”
Yan Hui replied, “I wouldn’t dare get myself killed while you’re still alive.”
12.9
Duke Ai asked Youzi, “We’ve had a famine this year and there aren’t enough revenues to run the state. What should I do?”
Youzi replied, “How about a 10% tax, as the Zhou used to levy?”
Duke Ai replied, “I can’t even get by on a 20% tax! How could I manage on 10%?”
Youzi said, “If the people have enough, you’ll have enough. But if the people don’t have enough, how can you expect to have enough?”
15.2
In the state of Chen, they ran out of food, and the students became so exhausted they could no longer stand.
Resentfully, Zilu asked, “Must a noble person suffer through such a mess?”
Confucius replied, “Yes, a noble person may find themselves in circumstances like this, but it’s only the small person that can’t withstand it.”