Philosophers

The Diverging Paths: “The Superior Man Progresses Upwards, the Mean Man Downwards”

The Way to Serve a Ruler: “Do Not Deceive, But Do Not Shrink from Offending”

The Unwavering Duty: “Having Served as an Official, I Dare Not Fail to Report”

The Difficulty of Fulfillment: “He Who Speaks Without Shame Will Find It Hard to Act”

The Pillars of the State: “With Such Ministers, How Could It Fall?”

A Political Paradox: “If He Is So Bad, Why Hasn’t He Fallen?”

The Mark of a True “Accomplished” One: Recommending One’s Own Servant to the Court

The Greater Loyalty: Preserving Civilization Over Petty Fidelity

The Measure of Benevolence: “Such Was His Benevolence! Such Was His Benevolence!”

Craftiness vs. Uprightness: Confucius on the Styles of Two Hegemons

The Substance Over Form: “Though It’s Said He Did Not Coerce His Lord, I Do Not Believe It”

The Master’s Doubt: “Is It Really So?”

The Art of Propriety: “Speak, Laugh, and Take Only at the Right Time and in the Right Way”

The Core of a Complete Man: Righteousness, Sacrifice, and Faithfulness

The Ideal Complete Man: A Synthesis of Wisdom, Courage, Talent, and Culture