On Virtue and Governance (Gongye Chang)

Confucius said of Gongye Chang:
"Though he was once imprisoned, it was not by his own fault. He is worthy to take a wife." Thus, Confucius gave him his daughter in marriage.

 

Of Nan Rong, Confucius remarked:
"When the state is well-ordered, he will not be dismissed; when it is chaotic, he will escape punishment." He then married his niece to Nan Rong.

 

Of Zijian, Confucius said:
"What a noble man! If Lu had no true gentlemen, how could he have acquired such virtue?"

 

Zigong asked: "What do you think of me?"
Confucius replied, "You are like a vessel."
"What kind of vessel?"
"A hulian—a sacred vessel used in ancestral rites."

 

Someone remarked: "Ran Yong is virtuous but lacks eloquence."
Confucius retorted, "What need is there for eloquence? Sharp tongues invite hatred. I know not if he is truly virtuous, but why must he speak?"

 

When Confucius urged Qidiao Kai to enter government,
the latter replied, "I am not yet confident in my ability." Confucius was pleased.

 

Confucius sighed:
"If my Way fails, I shall sail away on a raft. Zhong You alone might follow me!" Delighted, Zilu beamed. Confucius added, "Zhong You’s courage surpasses even my own, but he lacks judgment."

 

Meng Wubo asked: "Is Zilu virtuous?"
"I do not know," Confucius answered. Pressed again, he said, "In a state of a thousand chariots, he could command the army. As for virtue—I cannot say."
"What of Ran Qiu?"
"He could govern a city of a thousand households. His virtue? I do not know."
"And Gongxi Chi?"
"Dressed in court robes, he could host foreign envoys. His virtue? I do not know."

 

To Zigong, Confucius asked: "How do you compare to Yan Hui?"
Zigong replied, "How dare I? Yan Hui hears one and grasps ten; I hear one and grasp two."
Confucius nodded, "You are not his equal. I agree."

 

Zai Yu slept by day.
Confucius scoffed, "Rotten wood cannot be carved; a wall of dung cannot be plastered. What use is reproach?"
He then lamented, "Once, I judged others by their words. Now I judge by their deeds. It is Zai Yu who changed me."

 

Confucius said: "I have never met a truly unyielding man."
"Surely Shen Cheng is such!" someone said.
Confucius retorted, "Shen Cheng is ruled by desires—how can he be called unyielding?"

 

Zigong declared: "I wish neither to impose on others nor be imposed upon."
Confucius replied, "Such a feat is beyond you, Zigong."

 

Zigong sighed: "We hear your teachings on the Odes, History, Rites, and Music, but not on Heaven’s nature or the cosmic Way."

 

Zilu feared hearing new truths before practicing what he had learned.

 

Zigong asked: "Why was Kong Wenzi given the posthumous title ‘Cultured’ (wen)?"
Confucius answered, "He was wise yet humble, unashamed to learn from inferiors. Hence ‘Cultured’."

 

Of Zichan, Confucius praised:
"He embodied four marks of a gentleman: dignity in conduct, reverence in serving rulers, kindness in nurturing the people, and fairness in governance."

 

Of Yan Pingzhong, he said: "He mastered friendship. Even over time, none grew weary of him."

 

Of Zang Wenzhong: "He built a house for a sacred turtle, adorned with carvings. How can such a man be called wise?"

 

Zizhang asked: "Zi Wen thrice became prime minister without joy, thrice dismissed without resentment, passing all affairs to his successor. Is he virtuous?"
Confucius said, "He was loyal. But is that virtue? I cannot say."
"And Chen Wenzi, who fled three states rejecting rulers akin to the tyrant Cui Zhu—is he virtuous?"
"He was pure. But is that virtue? I cannot say."

 

Of Ji Wenzi: "He deliberated thrice before acting."
Confucius quipped, "Twice suffices."

 

Of Ning Wuzi: "In orderly times, he shone with wisdom; in chaos, he feigned folly. His wisdom others might match; his feigned folly, none could."

 

In Chen, Confucius sighed:
"Return! My disciples back home are ambitious but rash, cultured yet undisciplined."

 

Of Bo Yi and Shu Qi: "They held no grudges; thus, few bore them ill will."

 

Confucius mocked: "Who calls Weisheng Gao straightforward? When asked for vinegar, he secretly begged from neighbors rather than admit he had none."

 

On hypocrisy:
"Flattering words, feigned smiles, excessive courtesy—Zuoqiu Ming despised such, and so do I. Hidden malice cloaked in friendship—Zuoqiu Ming loathed it, and so do I."

 

Yan Yuan and Zilu stood by Confucius.
"Speak your aspirations," he urged.
Zilu said, "I’d share my chariot and robes with friends, uncomplaining if ruined."
Yan Yuan said, "I’d never boast of merit."
Zilu asked, "And your wish, Master?"
Confucius replied, "To comfort the aged, trust friends, and nurture the young."

 

Confucius sighed: "Alas! I have yet to meet one who, seeing his faults, reproaches himself."

 

He concluded:
"Even in a hamlet of ten households, some match my loyalty and trustworthiness—but none rival my love of learning."

 

On Virtue and Governance (Gongye Chang)'s Pictures