|
Quotes by Confucius "He who rules by moral force (te) is like the pole-star, which remains in its place while all the lesser stars do homage to it." "Govern the people by regulations, keep order among them by chastisement, and they will flee from you, and lose all self-respect. Govern them by moral force, keep order among them by ritual, and they will keep their self-respect and come to you of their own accord." ". . . to see what is right and not do it is cowwardice." "Those whose measures are dictated by mere expediency will arouse continued discontent." "In serving his father and mother a man may gently remonstrate with them. But if he sees that he has failed to change their opinion, he should resume an attitude of deference and not thwart them; may feel discouraged but not resentful." "Those who err on the side of strictness are few indeed." "Moral force never dwells in solitude; it will always bring neighbors." "Rotten wood cannot be carved, nor a wall of dried dung trowelled." ". . . the ability to take one's own feelings as a guide -- that is the sort of thing that lies in the direction of Goodness." "Is Goodness indeed so far away? If we really wanted Goodness, we should find that it was at our very sides." "He who does not tread in the tracks [of the Ancients] cannot expect to find his way into the Inner Room." "From a gentleman, consistency is expected, but not blind fidelity." "To kill a chicken one does not use an ox-cleaver." |
