quote · Legacy record

There is no understanding where no sincerity is. Nowadays, for a person to be filial means no more than that he is able to provide his parents with food. Even dogs and horses are provided with food. If a person shows no reverence, where is the difference? The profound person understands what is moral. The small person understands what is profitable. Silence is often advisable but indifference is both criminal and wrong. The moral force of the profound person is like the wind; the moral force of the small person is like the grass. Let the wind blow over the grass and it is sure to bend. What you do not desire for yourself, do not do to others. Profound knowledge no one can obtain without putting aside all feelings of prejudice and self-conceit. It is always better to do good than wrong It is not to be inferred that those do not know to control or govern themselves should be able to properly advise others. Charity is a sublime grace and its bestowments bless both the giver and the receiver. Others might equal his intelligence, but not equal his stupidity. The common people can be made to follow a path and not understand it. We learn something practical, we study something theoretical; in learning the focus is on the learner. In study it is on the object. All things being equal, is better to be frugal.

There is no understanding where no sincerity is. Nowadays, for a person to be filial means no more than that he is able to provide his parents with food. Even dogs and horses are provided with food. If a person shows no reverence, where is the difference? The profound person understands what is moral. The small person understands what is profitable. Silence is often advisable but indifference is both criminal and wrong. The moral force of the profound person is like the wind; the moral force of the small person is like the grass. Let the wind blow over the grass and it is sure to bend. What you do not desire for yourself, do not do to others. Profound knowledge no one can obtain without putting aside all feelings of prejudice and self-conceit. It is always better to do good than wrong It is not to be inferred that those do not know to control or govern themselves should be able to properly advise others. Charity is a sublime grace and its bestowments bless both the giver and the receiver. Others might equal his intelligence, but not equal his stupidity. The common people can be made to follow a path and not understand it. We learn something practical, we study something theoretical; in learning the focus is on the learner. In study it is on the object. All things being equal, is better to be frugal.

Approximate author period: c. 515 BC · ancient