1. To learn

1. The Master said, “To learn and to put it into practice at the right moment; isn’t it wonderful! To have friends who come visit you from afar; isn’t it delightful! People don’t understand you and you don’t mind; you sure are a noble man!”
子曰：「學而時習之，不亦說乎？有朋自遠方來，不亦樂乎？人不知而不慍，不亦君子乎？」

2. Master You said, “He who serves his parents with respect and treats his brothers with affection would rarely usurp his superiors. He who would not usurp his superiors, but would nevertheless cause disruption: there hasn’t been one. A noble man will direct his efforts to what is fundamental. When the foundation is established, then the Way will appear. Respect for parents and affection for brothers are the root of ethical integrity.”
有子曰：「其為人也孝弟，而好犯上者，鮮矣；不好犯上，而好作亂者，未之有也。君子務本，本立而道生。孝弟也者，其為仁之本與！」

3. The Master said, “Soothing words and pleasant face; there can hardly be any ethical integrity there.”
子曰：「巧言令色，鮮矣仁！」

4. Master Zeng said, “Every day, I scrutinise myself about three things – in undertaking other people’s business, whether I was loyal; in my dealings with friends, whether I was trustworthy; what I have been taught, whether I put it into practice.”
曾子曰：「吾日三省吾身：為人謀而不忠乎？與朋友交而不信乎？傳不習乎？」

5. The Master said, “The way to govern a country of thousand chariots is this. Respectfully handle the matters with trustworthiness. Adopt a measured approach but love people. Mobilise the people at the right moment.”
子曰：「道千乘之國：敬事而信，節用而愛人，使民以時。」

6. The Master said, “When you are at home, serve your parents. When you go out, be affectionate to others. Be earnest and trustworthy. Comprehensively love all living beings but closeness should be based on ethical integrity. Conduct should come first. Then, study when you have energy to spare.”
子曰：「弟子入則孝，出則弟，謹而信，汎愛眾，而親仁。行有餘力，則以學文。」

7. Zi Xia said, “If you know better than knowing, overcome appearances, serve your parents with all your might, serve your boss with all that you have, abide by your words when socialising with friends, who can say that you haven’t
learned? I will certainly say that you have learned.”
子夏曰：「賢賢易色，事父母能竭其力，事君能致其身，與朋友交言而有信。雖曰未學，吾必謂之學矣。」

8. The Master said, “A noble man who lacks gravitas does not inspire awe. Learning will remove narrow-mindedness. The most important thing is to be loyal and trustworthy. Do not befriend those who are not as good as you. If you discover
a fault, do not hesitate to mend it.”
子曰：「君子不重則不威，學則不固。主忠信，無友不如己者，過則勿憚改。」

9. Master Zeng said, “When funerals are conducted sincerely and ancestors are commemorated for a long time, people’s virtue will become ample again.”
曾子曰：「慎終追遠，民德歸厚矣。」

10. Zi Qin asked Zi Gong, “When the Master arrives at a country, he is always consulted about government affairs. Does he seek it or is it given to him?” Zi Gong said, “The Master obtains it through his warmth, honesty, modesty, moderation and humility. What he seeks is different from what people seek.”
子禽問於子貢曰：「夫子至於是邦也，必聞其政，求之與？抑與之與？」子貢曰：「夫子溫、良、恭、儉、讓以得之。夫子之求之也，其諸異乎人之求之與？」

11. The Master said, “When your father is around, you need to observe his intentions. When he is no longer around, you need to observe his deeds. If you do not divert from your father’s way for three years, you can be regarded as serving your parents well.”
子曰：「父在，觀其志；父沒，觀其行；三年無改於父之道，可謂孝矣。」

12. Master You said, “Among the uses of Li, bringing people together is the most important. Previous kings’ way of governing elevated Li to the realm of beauty. Hence, Li became the criterion of the big and the small. There are things that should not be done. To think that uniting is merely uniting and to fail to apply a measured approach to it; that should not be done.”
有子曰：「禮之用，和為貴。先王之道斯為美，小大由之。有所不行，知和而和，不以禮節之，亦不可行也。」

13. Master You said, “If your trust is close to righteousness, you may carry out your promises. If your politeness is close to Li, you can avoid humiliation. If you do not, as a result, lose your popularity, you can be a leader.
有子曰：「信近於義，言可復也；恭近於禮，遠恥辱也；因不失其親，亦可宗也。」

14. The Master said, “A noble man will eat but not seek to bloat out. He will have a dwelling but not seek comfort. He will be forthcoming in his conduct but cautious with his words. He will proceed along the Way and be forthright. Such a man can be regarded as fond of learning.”
子曰：「君子食無求飽，居無求安，敏於事而慎於言，就有道而正焉，可謂好學也已。」

15. Zi Gong said, “In poverty, yet not be abject; in affluence, yet not be arrogant. How’s that?” The Master said, “Possible. But still, it is not as good as being poor yet in delight; being rich yet fond of Li.” Zi Gong said, “The Odes have it, ‘Like a gem! Now quarried, now filed, now sculpted and now polished!’ Is that what you mean?” The Master said, “Ci, Now we can talk poetry together! I tell you one thing and you understand the next.”
子貢曰：「貧而無諂，富而無驕，何如？」子曰：「可也。未若貧而樂1，富而好禮者也。」子貢曰：「《詩》云：『如切如磋，如琢如磨。』其斯之謂與？」子曰：「賜也，始可與言詩已矣！告諸往而知來者。」

16. The Master said, “Do not worry if others do not understand you; seek instead to understand others.”
子曰：「不患人之不己知，患不知人也。」