The Analects has been one of the most widely read and studied books in China for the last 2,000 years, and has massive influence over Chinese thought to this today. It is foundational to the development of Chinese and East Asian moral systems.Confucius believed that the flourishing of a country depended on the morals of its people, beginning with it’s leaders. His educated his students to create ethically cultivated men who would carry themselves well, speak well, and demonstrate integrity in everything they did.
T 11:23 a position immediately to put into practice what you have heard.' Jan Yu asked, Should one immediately put into practice what one has heard?' The Master said, Yes. One should.' Kung-hsi Hua said, When Yu asked whether one should immediately put into practice what one had heard, you pointed out that his father and elder brothers were alive. Yet when Ch'iu asked whether one should immediately put into practice what one had heard, you answered that one should. I am puzzled. May I be elightened?' The Master said, Ch'iu holds himself back. It is for this reason that I tried to urge him on. Yu has the energy of two men. It is for this reason that I tried to hold him back.' hen the Master was under siege in K'uang, Yen Yuan fell behind. The Master said, I thought you had met your death.' While you, Master, are alive, how would I dare die?' W 11:24 11:25
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C hi Tzu-jan asked, Can Chung Yu and Jan Ch'iu be called great ministers?' The Master said, I had expected a somewhat different question. It never occurred to me that you were going to ask about Yu and Ch'iu. The term great minister" refers to those who serve their lord according to the Way and who, when this is no longer possible, relinquish office. Now men like Yu and Ch'iu can be described as ministers appointed to make up the full quota.' In that case, are they the kind that will always do as they are told?' No. They will not do so when it comes to patricide or regicide.' 11:26
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O n the occasion Tzu-lu made Tzu-kao the prefect of Pi, the Master said, He is ruining another man's son.' Tzu-lu said, There are the common people and one's fellow men, and there are the altars to the gods of earth and grain. Why must one have to read books before one is said to learn?' The Master said, It is for this reason that I dislike men who are plausible.' hen Tzu-lu, Tseng Hsi, Jan Yu and Kung-hsi Hua were seated in attendance, the Master said, Do not feel constrained simply because I am a little older than you are. Now you are in the habit of saying, My abilities are not appreciated," but if someone did appreciate your abilities, do tell me how you would go about things.' W Tzu-lu promptly answered, If I were to administer a state of a thousand chariots, situated between powerful neighbours, troubled by armed invasions and by repeated famines, I could, within three years, give the people courage and a sense of direction.' The Master smiled at him.
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Ch'iu, what about you?' If I were to administer an area measuring sixty or seventy li square, or even fifty or sixty Ii square, I could, within three years, bring the size of the population up to an adequate level. As to the rites and music, I would leave that to abler gentlemen.' Ch'ih, how about you?' I do not say that I already have the ability, but I am ready to learn. On ceremonial occasions in the ancestral temple or in diplomatic gatherings, I should like to assist as a minor official in charge of protocol, properly dressed in my ceremonial cap and robes.'
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