The Wisdom of Confucius: Attend to Human Affairs and Keep a Distance from the Spirits

Confucius said: Wisdom is to attend to human duties and respect but keep distant from spirits.

To give one’s self earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

务民之义,敬鬼神而远之,可谓知矣。

Source: The Analects, Yong Ye VI, Chapter 22 (Part 1 – On Wisdom)

Author: Confucius

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