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......