Tai Bo

Confucius said, "Tai Bo may be considered a man of the highest virtue. He declined the throne three times in favor of his younger brother Ji Li, yet the people could find no adequate words to praise his noble character." Confucius remarked: "Respect without understanding ritual leads to laborious formality. Caution without ritual becomes timidity. Courage without ritual turns into recklessness. Frankness without ritual appears harsh. When a noble man treats his kinsmen generously, common people will embrace benevolence. When he doesn't abandon old associates, the masses won't become cold-hearted." When Zengzi fell ill, he summoned his disciples and said: "Look at my feet! Examine my hands! The Book of Songs says: 'Trembling with caution, as if standing by a deep abyss, as if treading on thin ice.' Now I know I've preserved myself intact from harm, my disciples!" When Zengzi was ill, Meng Jingzi visited him. Zengzi advised: "A dying bird's song turns mournful; a dying man's words turn kind. A gentleman values three principles: Maintain dignified composure to avoid......