The Analects
Book 4 · Living with Humaneness
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Living with Humaneness · 4.1
The Master said, “A neighborhood where humaneness is at home is beautiful. If you choose not to live among the humane, how can you be called wise?”
Living with Humaneness · 4.2
The Master said, “Those without humaneness cannot endure hardship for long or remain long in happiness. The humane are at home in humaneness; the wise recognize its benefit.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.3
The Master said, “Only the humane can truly love people and truly dislike people.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.4
The Master said, “If you sincerely set your purpose on humaneness, there will be no evil.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.5
The Master said, “Wealth and rank are what people desire, but if they cannot be obtained through the proper Way, do not remain in them. Poverty and low station are what people dislike, but if they cannot be left through the proper Way, do not leave them. If an exemplary person departs from humaneness, how can that name be fulfilled? An exemplary person does not depart from humaneness even for the interval of a meal. In haste, keep to it; in distress and upheaval, keep to it.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.6
The Master said, “I have yet to see someone who truly loves humaneness or truly hates what is inhumane. Those who love humaneness place nothing above it. Those who hate the inhumane practice humaneness by not allowing inhumanity to affect their own person. Is there anyone who can devote their strength to humaneness for a single day? I have never seen someone whose strength was insufficient. Perhaps such a person exists, but I have not seen one.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.7
The Master said, “People's faults fall into kinds according to their dispositions. Observe their faults, and you can understand their humaneness.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.8
The Master said, “If I heard the Way in the morning, I could die that evening.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.9
The Master said, “An aspiring scholar who sets his purpose on the Way but is ashamed of poor clothing and poor food is not yet worth discussing it with.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.10
The Master said, “In dealing with the world, the exemplary person has no unconditional commitment for or against anything, but sides with what is right.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.11
The Master said, “The exemplary person thinks of virtue; the petty person thinks of home ground. The exemplary person thinks of the rules; the petty person thinks of favors.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.12
The Master said, “If you act with profit as your guide, you will draw much resentment.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.13
The Master said, “If you can govern a state through ritual and deference, what difficulty is there? If you cannot govern through ritual and deference, what can you do with ritual?”
Living with Humaneness · 4.14
The Master said, “Do not worry about having no position; worry about what would make you fit to stand in one. Do not worry that no one knows you; seek to become worthy of being known.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.15
The Master said, “Shen, my Way has a single thread running through it.” Zengzi replied, “Yes.” When the Master went out, the disciples asked, “What did he mean?” Zengzi said, “Our Master's Way is simply wholeheartedness and consideration for others.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.16
The Master said, “The exemplary person understands what is right; the petty person understands what is profitable.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.17
The Master said, “When you see the worthy, think of becoming their equal. When you see the unworthy, turn inward and examine yourself.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.18
The Master said, “In serving your parents, remonstrate gently. If you see that they do not accept your intention, remain respectful and do not depart from the proper forms of service. Even when troubled by this, do not resent them.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.19
The Master said, “While your parents are alive, do not travel far away. If you do travel, there must be a definite place where you can be found.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.20
The Master said, “If for three years you do not change your father's way, that may be called filial devotion.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.21
The Master said, “You must not be unaware of your parents' ages: they are a source of joy on the one hand and apprehension on the other.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.22
The Master said, “People of antiquity did not readily put words into speech, for they were ashamed that their conduct might not live up to them.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.23
The Master said, “Few go wrong through self-restraint.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.24
The Master said, “The exemplary person wishes to be restrained in speech and prompt in action.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.25
The Master said, “Virtue does not stand alone; it will surely have neighbors.”
Living with Humaneness · 4.26
Ziyou said, “In serving a ruler, repeated pressing brings disgrace; among friends, repeated pressing brings estrangement.”
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