Xian Wen XIV

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

The Principle of Proper Placement: Matching Talent to the Right Role

A Gauge of Self-Cultivation: “Poor Without Complaint is Hard; Rich Without Arrogance is Easy”

The True Measure of Authority: When Justice Leaves No Resentment

A Model of Governance: The Four-Step Process of Perfecting a State Document

The Full Duty of Loyalty: “To Be Loyal, Can One Avoid Giving Admonition?”

The True Meaning of Love: “To Love, Can One Avoid Imposing Toil?”