Ji Shi

Ji Shi intended to attack Zhuanyu. Ran You and Zilu went to see Confucius and said, “Ji Shi is preparing to attack Zhuanyu.” Confucius replied, “Ran Qiu, is this not your fault? Zhuanyu was once entrusted by the Son of Heaven to preside over sacrifices at Mount Meng, and it lies within the borders of Lu. It is a vassal state—why attack it?” Ran You said, “It is the wish of Ji Sun. Neither of us approves.” Confucius said, “Ran Qiu, Zhou Ren once said: ‘Exert your strength in fulfilling your duties; if you cannot, resign.’ If a ruler is in danger and you do not support him, or if he stumbles and you do not lift him, what use is an advisor? And your words are wrong. If a tiger or rhino escapes its cage, or a tortoise shell or jade is shattered in its case—whose fault is it?” Ran You said, “Zhuanyu’s walls are strong and close to Fei. If we do not take it now, it will trouble future generations.” Confucius said, “Ran Qiu! A gentleman despises those who hide their desires behind excuses. I have heard that rulers and ministers should fear not poverty but inequality, not scarcity but instability. For when wealth is shared, there is no poverty; with harmony, there is no scarcity; with stability, no collapse. If distant people still do not submit, cultivate virtue through rites and music to attract them. Once they come, let them live in peace. Now, you two assist Ji Sun, yet distant people resist and you cannot attract them; the state is divided, and you cannot preserve it. Instead, you plot to use force within. I fear Ji Sun’s true danger lies not in Zhuanyu but within his own walls!”

Confucius said, “When the Way prevails, the rites, music, and military orders come from the Son of Heaven. When the Way is lost, they come from the feudal lords. When lords hold power, their states rarely survive ten generations. When ministers hold power, they rarely survive five. When the Way prevails, power does not rest with ministers. When the Way prevails, the common people do not debate governance.”

Confucius said, “The house of Lu lost its authority five generations ago, and power passed to ministers four generations ago. Thus, the three branches of Duke Huan’s line have declined.”

Confucius said, “There are three types of beneficial friends and three harmful ones. Friends with integrity, honesty, and broad knowledge are beneficial. Friends who flatter, deceive, or speak cunningly are harmful.”

Confucius said, “There are three beneficial pursuits and three harmful ones. Studying rituals and music, praising others’ virtues, and befriending the wise bring benefit. Arrogance, idleness, and indulgence in excess bring harm.”

Confucius said, “When speaking alongside a gentleman, avoid three faults: speaking out of turn (rashness), withholding words when it is your turn (concealment), and speaking without observing his expression (blindness).”

Confucius said, “A gentleman guards against three things: in youth, when vitality is unsettled, guard against lust; in maturity, when vitality is strong, guard against strife; in old age, when vitality fades, guard against greed.”

Confucius said, “A gentleman holds three things in awe: the Mandate of Heaven, great rulers, and the words of sages. A petty man, ignorant of Heaven’s Mandate, fears nothing, disrespects rulers, and mocks sages’ words.”

Confucius said, “Those born with knowledge are the highest; those who learn through study come next; those who learn only after hardship are next; those who face hardship yet refuse to learn—such people are the lowest.”

Confucius said, “A gentleman reflects on nine things: clarity in seeing, attentiveness in hearing, warmth in demeanor, respect in bearing, sincerity in speech, diligence in action, inquiry in doubt, caution in anger, and righteousness in gain.”

Confucius said, “When I see goodness, I fear falling short; when I see evil, I recoil as if scalded. I have met such people and heard such words. To live in seclusion, preserving one’s ideals while acting with righteousness—I have heard of this, but never seen it.”

Duke Jing of Qi had four thousand horses, yet when he died, the people found no virtue to praise. Bo Yi and Shu Qi starved at Shouyang Mountain, yet the people still honor them today. Is this not the meaning?

Chen Kang asked Bo Yu, “Have you received any unique teachings from our Master?” Bo Yu replied, “No. Once, when he stood alone in the courtyard, I hurried past. He asked, ‘Have you studied the Book of Songs?’ I said no. He said, ‘Without it, you cannot speak well.’ I began studying it. Another day, he asked, ‘Have you studied the Rites?’ I said no. He said, ‘Without them, you cannot stand firm.’ I studied the Rites. These are the only two lessons.” Chen Kang left joyfully, saying, “I asked one question and learned three things: the importance of the Songs, the Rites, and that a gentleman shows no favoritism even to his son.”

The wife of a ruler is called ‘Lady’ by her husband, ‘Little Child’ by herself, ‘Our Lady’ by her people, and ‘Widowed Little Lady’ by foreigners, who also refer to her as ‘Lady.’