The Master said, "Living in a neighborhood of benevolent people is beautiful. If one does not choose to live among the benevolent, how can one be considered wise?"

        The Master said, "Those who are not benevolent cannot long endure frugality, nor can they long endure pleasure. The benevolent find peace in benevolence; the wise find advantage in benevolence."

        The Master said, "Only the benevolent can truly love people and truly dislike people."

        The Master said, "If one's will is set on benevolence, there is no room for evil."

        The Master said, "Wealth and honor are what men desire; if they are not attained by the proper way, one should not accept them. Poverty and lowliness are what men dislike; if they are not incurred by the proper way, one should not avoid them. If a gentleman abandons benevolence, how can he establish a reputation? A gentleman should not deviate from benevolence even for the space of a meal; in the briefest moment he must be steadfast in it, lest he fall into distress."

        The Master said, "I have not yet seen one who loves benevolence and hates the non-benevolent. He who loves benevolence has nothing more to strive for; he who hates the non-benevolent is himself benevolent—for he does not allow the non-benevolent to prevail over him. But has he the capacity to employ his strength for benevolence for even a single day? I have not seen anyone whose strength is insufficient. Perhaps there are such people, but I have not seen them."

        The Master said, "The faults of men vary according to their groups. By observing these faults, one can recognize benevolence."

        The Master said, "If a man hears the Way in the morning, he may die in the evening without regret."

        The Master said, "A scholar whose will is set on the Way, yet who feels shame at wearing shabby clothes or eating poor food, is not worth discussing with."

        The Master said, "The gentleman has no place he must go to, and no place he must avoid in the world; he simply follows what is right."

        The Master said, "The gentleman cherishes virtue; the small man cherishes his land. The gentleman considers the law; the small man considers favors."

        The Master said, "He who acts solely for profit will incur much resentment."

        The Master said, "Can a state be governed by propriety and modesty? Why not? If a state cannot be governed by propriety and modesty, what use is propriety?"

        The Master said, "Do not worry about having no position, but worry about your worthiness to hold one. Do not worry about not being known, but strive to be worth knowing."

        The Master said, "Zen! My Way is permeated by a single thread." Zengzi replied, "Yes." After the Master left, the disciples asked, "What did he mean?" Zengzi replied, "The Master's Way is nothing more than loyalty and reciprocity."

        The Master said, "The gentleman understands what is right; the small man understands what is profitable."

        The Master said, "When you see a virtuous man, strive to equal him. When you see a non-virtuous man, examine yourself."

        The Master said, "In serving one's parents, one should remonstrate gently. If their will is not followed, one should still be respectful and not disobey, enduring the toil without resentment."

        The Master said, "While one's parents are alive, one should not travel far; if one does, one must have a fixed destination."

        The Master said, "If for three years one does not change the way of his father, he may be called filial."

        The Master said, "The age of one's parents must be known. In one sense it is a cause for joy, and in another, a cause for fear."

        The Master said, "In ancient times, people did not speak until they had acted, for they felt shame if their actions did not match their words."

        The Master said, "Those who fail because of frugality are few."

        The Master said, "The gentleman desires to be slow in speech and quick in action."

        The Master said, "Virtue is not lonely; it will always have neighbors."

        Zi You said, "To visit one's ruler too often is to bring disgrace; to visit friends too often is to grow distant."