# The Analects: Chapter 1 (Xue Er)
The Master said, "To learn and at due times to practice what one has learned, is this not a pleasure? To have friends coming from distant quarters, is this not a joy? To remain unperturbed even when others fail to recognize one's worth, is this not the mark of a gentleman?"
Youzi said, "Those who are filial and fraternal and yet enjoy offending their superiors are rare; those who are not fond of offending their superiors but enjoy inciting disorder, I have never seen. The gentleman focuses on the root; once the root is established, the Way (Dao) grows. Filial piety and fraternal devotion—are they not the very roots of benevolence (Ren)?"
The Master said, "Those who use clever words and an insinuating countenance are seldom endowed with benevolence."
Zengzi said, "Every day I examine myself on three counts: Have I been loyal in my dealings on behalf of others? Have I been trustworthy in my interactions with friends? Have I practiced what was passed down to me?"
The Master said, "To govern a state of a thousand chariots, one must attend to affairs with reverence and trustworthiness, practice economy and love the people, and employ the people according to the seasons."
The Master said, "A student, at home, should be filial; when leaving, fraternal; cautious and trustworthy; loving all broadly and being close to the virtuous. If he has surplus energy, he should then study the literary arts."
Zixia said, "To esteem the virtuous above physical beauty; to exhaust one's strength in serving parents; to devote oneself to serving the ruler; and to be trustworthy in dealings with friends—though some may say they have not studied, I would certainly call them scholars."
The Master said, "If a gentleman is not serious, he will lack dignity; if he does not study, his foundation will not be firm. He should prioritize loyalty and trustworthiness, avoid befriending those inferior to himself in character, and when he errs, he should not hesitate to reform."
Zengzi said, "By attending carefully to the rituals of the end and following up on the distant ancestors, the moral character of the people will return to thickness (virtue)."
Ziqin asked Zigong, "When the Master arrives in a state, he always hears of its administration. Does he seek it out, or is it offered to him?" Zigong replied, "The Master attains it through warmth, kindness, respect, frugality, and humility. Is his way of seeking it not different from how others seek it?"
The Master said, "When the father is present, observe his son's ambitions; when the father passes away, observe his conduct. If he does not deviate from his father's Way for three years, he may be called filial."
Youzi said, "In the application of ritual, harmony is most precious. This is the beauty of the Way of the ancient kings. Whether in small or large matters, one follows this; yet there are instances where it cannot be practiced. To know harmony and seek harmony without being regulated by ritual is also not possible."
Youzi said, "If trustworthiness is close to righteousness, one's words can be relied upon. If respect is close to ritual, one avoids shame and humiliation. If it follows through without losing its intimacy, it can also serve as a model."
The Master said, "A gentleman does not seek satiety in food or comfort in dwelling; he is quick in action and cautious in speech, and he seeks out those on the Way to correct himself. Such a person may be called a lover of learning."
Zigong asked, "What of being poor without being fawning, and rich without being arrogant?" The Master said, "That is acceptable, but it is not as good as being poor yet joyful, or rich yet fond of ritual." Zigong said, "The *Book of Odes* says: 'As if cutting, as if sanding; as if carving, as if polishing'—is that what is meant?" The Master said, "Zigong, you may at last be spoken to regarding the *Odes*; you can be told of the past and understand the future."
The Master said, "Do not worry about being unknown to others; worry about not knowing others."