On Learning學而第一

The Master said, "To learn, and to practice it in season, is that not a joy? To have a friend come from a far place, is that not a delight? To take no offence when others do not know you, is that not the mark of a noble man?"

Youzi said, "A man who is filial to his parents and respectful to his elders, and yet likes to offend those above him, is rare. A man who does not like to offend those above him, and yet likes to stir up disorder, has never been. The noble man works at the root. Once the root stands, the Way is born. Filial duty and respect for elders, are these not the root of humaneness (仁)?"

The Master said, "In clever words and a groomed face, humaneness is rare."

Zengzi said, "Each day I examine myself on three points. In planning for others, have I been less than faithful? In dealings with friends, have I been less than trustworthy? Have I failed to practice what was handed down to me?"

The Master said, "In governing a state of a thousand chariots, attend to affairs with reverence and so win trust, be sparing in spending and love the people, and call up the people only in season."

The Master said, "A young man is filial at home and respectful abroad. He is careful and trustworthy. He loves the many broadly and draws near to the humane. When he has done all this and strength is left, let him use it to learn letters."

Zixia said, "If a man honors the worthy as he loves a beautiful face, if he can spend all his strength in serving his father and mother, if he can offer up his own body in serving his lord, if his word holds trust in his dealings with friends, then though it be said he has not studied, I will surely call him learned."

The Master said, "If a noble man is not weighty, he has no dignity, and what he learns will not hold firm. Make faithfulness and trust your masters. Do not befriend those who are not your equals. When you are at fault, do not shrink from mending it."

Zengzi said, "Be careful in the rites of mourning and keep the distant dead in mind, and the virtue of the people will return to fullness."

Ziqin asked Zigong, "Whatever state the Master comes to, he always hears its government. Does he seek it out, or is it offered to him?" Zigong said, "The Master gets it by warmth, kindness, respect, thrift and yielding. The Master's way of seeking, is it not different from the way other men seek?"

The Master said, "While the father lives, watch the son's intent. When the father is gone, watch the son's conduct. If for three years he does not change his father's way, he may be called filial."

Youzi said, "In the use of ritual, harmony is what is precious. The way of the former kings held this beautiful, and matters great and small all came from it. Yet there are times when it does not work. To know only harmony and to seek harmony alone, without ordering it by ritual, will not work either."

Youzi said, "When a promise comes near to what is right, the word can be kept. When deference comes near to ritual, shame and disgrace are kept far off. When in leaning on others one does not lose those worth drawing near, they may also be taken as one's masters."

The Master said, "The noble man does not seek a full belly in his eating, nor ease in his dwelling. He is quick in affairs and careful in speech, and he goes to those who have the Way to be set straight. Of such a man it may be said that he loves learning."

Zigong said, "Poor and yet not fawning, rich and yet not proud. How is that?" The Master said, "It will do. But it is not equal to being poor and yet glad, rich and yet loving ritual." Zigong said, "The Book of Songs says, 'As cut, as filed, as chiselled, as polished.' Is this what it means?" The Master said, "Ci (賜), now I can begin to speak of the Book of Songs with you. Tell you what has gone, and you know what is coming."

The Master said, "Do not worry that others do not know you. Worry that you do not know others."