“Cultural Insights: Confucius’ Teachings Explored”

Confucius believed in educating Ziyou through literature. Bu Shang, also known as Zixia, was one of his students. Confucius was 44 years old when he was young. Zixia asked, “‘Clever smiles, beautiful eyes, pure elegance,’ what does this mean?” Confucius said, “After drawing, apply simplicity.” He asked, “And what about propriety?” Confucius said, “When conveying things through simplicity, Zixia interpreted propriety with simplicity, thus saying ‘and what about propriety?’ Confucius said, “Bu Shang is ready to discuss poetry.” Zilu asked, “Who is better, teacher or Bu Shang?” Confucius said, “The teacher goes beyond, and Bu Shang does not measure up.” “Then the teacher is better?” he said, “Going too far is still not enough.” Confucius said to Zixia, “You are a gentleman scholar, not a petty scholar.” After Confucius passed away, Zixia lived in Xiyu. He taught and advised Wei Wenhao. His son died, and he cried until he lost his sight.

Zhuansun Shi, a Chen man, also known as Zizhang, was 48 years old when he was young. Zizhang asked about seeking official position. Confucius said, “Hearing much but having doubts, speaking cautiously, thus there are few faults. Seeing much but having doubts, acting cautiously, thus there is little regret. Speaking cautiously and acting cautiously, there is official position among these.” Confucius said, “Another day, I visited Chen and Cai and was in a dilemma. Confucius said, “To speak faithfully and sincerely, to act with diligence and respect, even if it is the country of the Man and Mo, is this an acceptable way? To speak unfaithfully and insincerely, to act without diligence and respect, even if it is in the neighborhood, can it be said to be acceptable? To be established is to see the list in front of you, and to be in the car is to see it leaning on the balance, and then to act.” Zizhang wrote to the shi.

Zizhang asked, “What kind of scholar can be called successful?” Confucius said, “What is it that you call success?” Zizhang said, “In the country, one must hear, and at home, one must hear.” Confucius said, “This is heard, not successful. A successful person has integrity, loves justice, observes words, observes colors, considers those below, and is in the country and at home.” Zizhang said, “This is the person who is good at pretending.” Confucius said, “A person who is good at pretending to be kind but does the opposite, lives in it without doubt, is in the country and at home.” Zizhang said, “A person who is good at pretending is numerous.”

Zeng Zhan, a southern Wucheng man, also known as Ziyu, was 46 years old when he was young. Confucius thought he could understand filial piety and therefore entrusted him with the profession. He wrote the Xiaojing and died in Lu.

Dantai Mie Ming, a Wucheng man, also known as Ziyu, was 39 years old when he was young. His appearance was very ugly. He wanted to serve Confucius, whom Confucius considered to be of thin ability. After receiving the job, he withdrew and cultivated himself. He did not go straight, and he did not see Qing Dafu unless it was a public matter.

He traveled south to Jiang, and with three hundred disciples, he set out to visit the princes. Confucius heard this and said, “I use words to get people, and I miss Zaiyu. I use looks to get people, and I miss Ziyu.”

Mibu Qi, also known as Zijian, was thirty years old when he was young. Confucius said, “Zijian is a gentleman. Without gentlemen, where can Lu find him?” Zijian was the magistrate of Danfu. He rejected Confucius and said, “This country has five people who are not in good shape, teaching them how to govern.”

Yuan Xian, also known as Zisi, was 36 years old when he was young. Zisi asked about shame. Confucius said, “When the country has a path, it will yield. When the country has no path, it will be ashamed.” Zisi said, “If you succeed in overcoming resentment and desire, can you be called benevolent?” Confucius said, “This is difficult. If you are benevolent, I do not know.”