The Shared Ideal: To Advance When Employed, To Retire When Set Aside

Confucius said to Yan Hui: To serve when employed and to retire when not – only you and I have achieved this.

When called to office, to undertake its duties; when not so called, to lie retired – it is only I and you who have attained to this.

用之则行,舍之藏,唯我与尔有是夫!

Source: The Analects, Shu Er VII, Chapter 11 (Part 1)

Author: Confucius

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