The Enemy of Constancy: Pretense and Self-Deception

Confucius said: Pretending to have what you lack makes constancy impossible.

Having not and yet affecting to have, empty and yet affecting to be full, straitened and yet affecting to be at ease – it is difficult with such characteristics to have constancy.

亡而为有,虚而为盈,约而为泰,难乎有恒矣。

Source: The Analects, Shu Er VII, Chapter 26.3

Author: Confucius

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