Acknowledgments

Foreword

Introduction

THE SAYINGS OF CONFUCIUS

Good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly

Good people support others with enriched virtue

Good people order and arrange

Good people nurture character with fruitful action

Good people enjoy life

When they do things, good people plan first

Good people embrace the populace and nurture the masses

Ancient kings set up myriad realms and associated with their representatives

Good people refine cultured qualities

Good people distinguish above and below and settle the ambitions of the people

The ruler administers the way of heaven and earth and assists the proper balance of heaven and earth, thereby helping the people

Good people are parsimonious with power and avoid trouble; they are not susceptible to material inducements

Good people distinguish things in terms of categories and groups

Good people stop evil and promote virtue, obeying Heaven and accepting its order

Good people decrease what is too much to add to what is too little, assessing things and dealing impartially

Ancient kings made music to honor virtue, offering it in abundance to God; thereby they shared it with their ancestors

Good people go inside and rest when the sun goes down

Good people inspire others and nurture virtue

Leaders draw on limitless resources of education and thought to embrace and protect the people without bound

Ancient kings set up education after examination of the region and observation of the people

Ancient kings clarified penalties and proclaimed laws

Good people clarify governmental affairs without presumptuous adjudication

Those above secure their homes by kindness to those below

Ancient kings shut the gates on the winter solstice; caravans did not travel, the ruler did not inspect the provinces

Ancient kings promoted growth appropriate to the time and nurtured myriad beings

Good people become acquainted with many precedents of speech and action in order to accumulate virtue

Good people are careful about what they say and moderate in eating and drinking

Good people can stand alone without fear and can leave society without distress

Good people consistently practice virtue and learn how to teach

Great people illumine the four quarters with continuing light

Good people accept others with openness

Good people stand without changing places

Good people keep the petty at a distance, being stern without ill will

Good people refrain from what is improper

Good people shine with the quality of enlightenment

Good people deal with the masses, acting unobtrusively while in fact illumined

Good people are factual in their speech, consistent in their deeds

Good people assimilate yet are different

Good people examine themselves and cultivate virtue

Good people forgive faults and pardon crimes

Good people eliminate wrath and cupidity

Good people better themselves when they see a chance and correct whatever faults they have

Good people distribute blessings to reach those below them, while avoiding presumption of virtue

Rulers announce their directives to the four quarters

Good people prepare weapons to guard against the unexpected

Good people follow virtue, building on the small to attain the great

Good people use life to the full and achieve their aim

Good people comfort others and urge reciprocity

Good people make calendars and clarify the seasons

Good people stabilize life in the proper position

Good people cautiously practice introspection

Good people think without leaving their place

Good people live wisely and improve customs

Good people persist to the end and find out if something is wrong

Good people make judgments and execute punishments

Good people apply punishment with understanding and prudence and do not keep people imprisoned

Good people articulate directions and carry out tasks

Good people form associations for education and action

Ancient kings honored God and set up shrines

Good people determine measures and discuss virtuous actions

Good people consider judgments and postpone executions

Good people are exceedingly deferential in conduct, exceedingly sad in mourning, exceedingly frugal in consumption

Good people consider problems and prevent them

Good people carefully discern things and keep them in their places

Notes