Zi Lu

Zilu asked about the way to govern. Confucius said: "First set an example through personal conduct, then make the people work diligently." Zilu requested more teachings. Confucius said: "Never slacken."

When Zhonggong became steward to the Ji family and asked about governance, Confucius said: "Delegate responsibilities to subordinate officials, pardon minor faults, and promote the capable." Zhonggong asked: "How to identify the capable?" Confucius replied: "Promote those you know. As for those unknown to you - would others neglect them?"

Zilu said: "The ruler of Wei awaits your governance. Where would you start?" Confucius said: "Rectification of names must come first." Zilu said: "Is this necessary? You're being impractical!" Confucius rebuked: "How rude! A gentleman suspends judgment on what he doesn't know. Incorrect names lead to incoherent speech; incoherent speech leads to failed affairs; failed affairs ruin rituals and music; ruined rituals bring unjust punishments; unjust punishments confuse the people. Therefore, a gentleman establishes clear names that can be properly expressed and implemented. A gentleman never treats his words and deeds carelessly."

Fan Chi asked about farming. Confucius said: "I'm less knowledgeable than old farmers." When asked about vegetable growing, he gave similar reply. After Fan Chi left, Confucius remarked: "What a petty man! If superiors love propriety, people will be respectful; if superiors love righteousness, people will obey; if superiors keep faith, people will be honest. When this is achieved, people from all directions will come bearing their children. Why bother farming oneself?"

Confucius said: "One who memorizes three hundred poems yet can't handle governance or diplomacy - what's the use of such learning?"

Confucius said: "If a ruler is upright, people obey without orders; if crooked, none heed his commands."

Confucius said: "The governance of Lu and Wei states are like brothers."

Speaking of Prince Jing of Wei: "He excelled in household management. When first acquiring property, he said 'This suffices'; when having more, 'This is ample'; with further increase, 'This is complete'; finally, 'This is perfect'."

Traveling to Wei, Confucius remarked on the population. Ran You asked: "What next after numbers?" "Enrich them." "And after enrichment?" "Educate them."

Confucius said: "Given a year, I could show governance results; three years would bring great achievements."

Confucius said: "A century of good governance could eliminate violence and abolish punishments. How true this saying!"

Confucius said: "Establishing a new state requires thirty years to achieve benevolent governance."

Confucius said: "If rectifying oneself, what difficulty in governing? If not self-rectified, how rectify others?"

When Ran Qiu returned late from court claiming "state affairs", Confucius said: "Those were routine matters. Important policies would reach me even if not consulted."

Duke Ding of Lu asked: "Can one saying prosper a state?" Confucius replied: "No exact saying, but similar: 'Ruling is hard, ministering difficult.' Understanding this nearly prospers a state." Asked about ruinous sayings, Confucius cited: 'My only pleasure is that none dare disobey.' If right, good; if wrong, this nearly ruins a state."

Lord Ye asked about governance. Confucius said: "Delight those nearby, attract those afar."

When Zixia became magistrate of Jufu and asked about administration, Confucius advised: "Don't seek haste or small gains. Haste prevents achievement; small gains ruin great affairs."

Lord Ye said: "My hometown has an upright man who reported his father's sheep theft." Confucius countered: "Our upright men differ: fathers cover sons, sons cover fathers. Uprightness lies therein."

Fan Chi asked about benevolence. Confucius said: "Be reverent in private life, earnest in work, loyal in relationships. These principles hold even in barbarian lands."

Zigong asked about scholar-officials. Confucius defined: "Those disciplined by shame, fulfilling missions." Second-tier: "Praised for filial piety by clan, fraternal love by villagers." Third-tier: "Resolute in words and deeds - stubborn but qualified." Asked about current rulers, Confucius dismissed: "Those narrow-minded? Not worth counting!"

Confucius said: "Since I can't find balanced men, I associate with the bold and the principled. The bold act; the principled refuse certain actions."

Confucius praised a southern saying: "Without perseverance, one can't be a shaman." Quoting the Book of Changes: "Those inconsistent in virtue face disgrace." He added: "This means the inconstant needn't divine."

Confucius said: "Gentlemen harmonize yet maintain independence; petty men conform without true harmony."

Zigong asked: "What of one loved by all?" "Not necessarily good." "Hated by all?" "Also uncertain. The best are loved by good men and hated by bad."

Confucius said: "Serving gentlemen is easy but hard to please. Pleasing them improperly won't work, but they value talent. Serving petty men is hard but easy to please. Though improper methods please them, they demand perfection when employing people."

Confucius said: "Gentlemen remain composed without arrogance; petty men are arrogant without composure."

Confucius said: "Combining fortitude, resoluteness, simplicity, and caution approaches benevolence."

Zilu asked about scholar-officials. Confucius said: "Those who mutually improve through friendly competition and fraternal harmony."

Confucius said: "Seven years of good governance could make people battle-ready."

Confucius said: "Sending untrained people to war is sending them to die."