The Analects Quotes

“Observe what a man has in mind to do when his father is living, and then observe what he does when his father is dead. If, for three years, he makes no changes to his father’s ways, he can be said to be a good son.”

“Nowadays for a man to be filial means no more than that he is able to provide his parents with food. Even hounds and horses are, in some way, provided with food. If a man shows no reverence, where is the difference?”

“Yu, I shall tell you what it is to know. To say you know when you know, and to say you do not when you do not, that is knowledge.”

“The Book of History says, ‘Oh! Simply by being a good son and friendly to his brothers a man can exert an influence upon government.’ In so doing a man is, in fact, taking part in government. How can there be any question of his having actively to ‘take part in government’?”

“Of neighborhoods benevolence is the most beautiful. How can the man be considered wise who, when he has the choice, does not settle in benevolence?”

“There is no point in seeking the views of a gentleman who, though he sets his heart on the Way, is ashamed of poor food and poor clothes.”

“I suppose I should give up hope. I have yet to meet the man who, on seeing his own errors, is able to take himself to task inwardly.”

“It is these things that cause me concern: failure to cultivate virtue, failure to go more deeply into what I have learned, inability, when I am told what is right, to move to where it is, an inability to reform myself when I have defects.”

“I was not born with knowledge but, being fond of antiquity, I am quick to seek it.”

“Even when walking in the company of two other men, I am bound to be able to learn from them. The good points of the one I copy; the bad points of the other I correct in myself.”

“If anyone can, while dressed in a worn-out gown padded with old silk floss, stand beside a man wearing fox or badger fur without feeling ashamed it is, I suppose, Yu.”

The wealth of the Chi Family was greater than that of the Duke of Chou, and still Ch’iu helped them add further to that wealth by raking in the taxes. The Master said, “He is no disciple of mine. You, my young friends, may attack him openly to the beating of drums.”

“To return to the observance of rites through overcoming the self constitutes benevolence. If for a single day a man could return to the observance of the rites through overcoming himself, then the whole Empire would consider benevolence to be his. However, the practice of benevolence depends on oneself alone, and not on others.”

“Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire. In this way you will be free from ill will whether in a state or in a noble family.”

Tzu-lu asked about the gentleman. The Master said, “He cultivates himself and thereby achieves reverence.”
“Is that all?”
“He cultivates himself and thereby brings peace and security to his fellow men.”
“Is that all?”
“He cultivates himself and thereby brings peace and security to the people.”