Zizhang

Zizhang said, "A scholar-official should be ready to sacrifice his life in times of danger, weigh righteousness before profit, maintain reverence in rituals, and embody grief in mourning. Such a man is sufficient." Zizhang said, "If one practices virtue without expanding it, or believes in the Way without steadfastness—how can we say such a person truly possesses these qualities? How can we say they do not?" When Zixia’s disciples asked Zizhang about friendship, Zizhang replied, "What did Zixia teach?" They answered, "He said: 'Befriend those worthy and avoid the unworthy.'" Zizhang said, "This differs from what I learned! A gentleman honors the worthy yet embraces all, praises the good and pities the incapable. If I am worthy, why should I reject others? If I am unworthy, others will reject me—how then could I reject them?" Zixia said, "Even minor skills have value, but they hinder grand pursuits. Thus, a gentleman does not dwell on them." Zixia said, "To learn something new each day and never forget what one has mastered—this is true dedication to learning." Zixia......