Duke Ling of We

Duke Ling of Wei asked Confucius about military formations. Confucius replied: "I have knowledge of sacrificial rituals, but never studied warfare." The next day, he left Wei.  

 

When Confucius ran out of provisions in Chen, his followers grew ill from hunger. Zilu angrily asked: "Does even a gentleman face destitution?" Confucius said: "A gentleman maintains integrity in hardship; a petty man becomes reckless."  

 

Confucius asked Zigong: "Do you think I'm one who learns widely and remembers everything?" Zigong replied: "Yes, is that not so?" Confucius said: "No. I thread all knowledge through one fundamental principle."  

 

Confucius said: "Zhong You! How rare are those who understand virtue!"  

 

Confucius said: "Could anyone govern effortlessly except Shun? What did he do? He simply sat reverently facing south on his throne."  

 

When Zizhang asked about universal acceptability, Confucius advised: "Be sincere in speech and respectful in conduct - this works even among barbarians. Without these, how succeed in homeland? Let 'sincerity, trustworthiness, reverence' stand before you when standing, lean against your chariot rail when riding." Zizhang inscribed this on his sash.  

 

Confucius praised: "Shi Yu was truly upright! Straight as an arrow in both orderly and chaotic times. Qu Boyu a true gentleman - served when the Way prevailed, withdrew his principles when it didn't."  

 

Confucius said: "Failing to speak to those worth speaking with wastes talent. Speaking to unworthy ones wastes words. The wise neither lose friends nor misspeak."  

 

Confucius said: "The noble-minded never preserve life at virtue's expense, but sacrifice life to perfect benevolence."  

 

When Zigong asked about practicing benevolence, Confucius said: "As craftsmen need sharp tools, so must you serve worthy ministers and befriend virtuous scholars in any state."  

 

Yan Yuan asked about governance. Confucius outlined: "Use Xia calendar, Yin chariots, Zhou ritual caps; play Shao and Wu music; reject Zheng tunes and flatterers. Zheng music corrupts; flatterers endanger."  

 

Confucius warned: "Without long-term planning, immediate troubles arise."  

 

Confucius lamented: "Alas! I've never seen anyone love virtue as they crave beauty."  

 

Confucius condemned Zang Wenzhong: "A position thief! Knowing Liuxia Hui's worth yet not recommending him."  

 

Confucius said: "Self-reflection with more self-blame than blaming others avoids resentment."  

 

Confucius said: "For those who never ask 'What should I do?' - I too don't know what to do."  

 

Confucius criticized: "Groups chatting all day without touching righteousness, just showing cleverness - these are hardest to teach."  

 

Confucius defined gentlemen: "Rooted in righteousness, expressed through ritual, articulated with humility, perfected through sincerity - this makes a gentleman."  

 

Confucius said: "Gentlemen worry about lacking ability, not about being unknown."  

 

Confucius said: "A gentleman's regret is dying without renowned virtue."  

 

Confucius contrasted: "Gentlemen demand of themselves; petty men demand of others."  

 

Confucius said: "Gentlemen maintain dignity without strife, harmony without factions."  

 

Confucius advised: "Don't recommend for eloquence alone, nor reject good advice from flawed men."  

 

When Zigong sought a lifelong principle, Confucius answered: "Reciprocity - never impose on others what you yourself dislike."  

 

Confucius said: "Whom have I wronged through praise or blame? My praises follow scrutiny. Such people enabled the Three Dynasties' straight path."  

 

Confucius noted: "I still see historical gaps. Those who lent untrained horses are gone."  

 

Confucius warned: "Glib tongues ruin virtue; small impatiences wreck great plans."  

 

Confucius cautioned: "Don't blindly accept what crowds hate or love - investigate personally."  

 

Confucius observed: "Humans perfect the Way; the Way doesn't perfect humans."  

 

Confucius said: "Uncorrected errors become true faults."  

 

Confucius reflected: "A day's fasting and night's pondering brought no gain - better to study."  

 

Confucius said: "Gentlemen seek the Way, not food. Farming risks hunger; learning brings salary. They fear missing the Way, not poverty."  

 

Confucius analyzed governance: "Wisdom-gained power without benevolence collapses. Benevolently maintained but unserious power loses respect. Benevolent and serious power lacking ritual implementation remains incomplete."  

 

Confucius differentiated: "Entrust great missions to gentlemen, minor tasks to petty men."  

 

Confucius remarked: "People need benevolence more than water/fire. Yet I see drowners/burners, none dying from practicing benevolence."  

 

Confucius said: "Shouldering benevolence's burden, one needn't defer to teachers."  

 

Confucius said: "Gentlemen uphold principles without rigidly clinging to minor trusts."  

 

Confucius advised: "Serve rulers diligently, prioritizing public duty over personal needs."  

 

Confucius declared: "All deserve education, regardless of clan."  

 

Confucius said: "Those with differing aims cannot plan together."  

 

Confucius said: "Words need only convey meaning clearly."  

 

When blind musician Mian visited, Confucius guided him: "Steps here... Mat there... So-and-so present..." Afterward, Zizhang asked: "Is this how to converse with musicians?" Confucius said: "This is how to assist them."