Threads · xìn

信 Words, Friends & Good Faith

Sincerity in speech, caution in promises, reliability among friends.

60 sayings touch this thread

I.1The Master said, ‘Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application? ‘Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant…The Master
I.4The philosopher Tsang said, ‘I daily examine myself on three points:— whether, in transacting business for others, I may have been not faithful;— whether, in…The philosopher Tsang
I.5The Master said, To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for…The Master
I.6The Master said, ‘A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love…The Master
I.7Tsze-hsia said, ‘If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he…Tsze-hsia
I.8The Master said, ‘If the scholar be not grave, he will not call forth any veneration, and his learning will not be solid. ‘Hold faithfulness and sincerity as…The Master
I.15Tsze-kung said, ‘What do you pronounce concerning the poor man who yet does not flatter, and the rich man who is not proud?’ The Master replied, ‘They will do;…The Master
II.18Tsze-chang was learning with a view to official emolument. The Master said, ‘Hear much and put aside the points of which you stand in doubt, while you speak…The Master
II.20Chi K’ang asked how to cause the people to reverence their ruler, to be faithful to him, and to go on to nerve themselves to virtue. The Master said, ‘Let him…The Master
II.22The Master said, ‘I do not know how a man without truthfulness is to get on. How can a large carriage be made to go without the cross-bar for yoking the oxen…The Master
II.24The Master said, ‘For a man to sacrifice to a spirit which does not belong to him is flattery. ‘To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.’The Master
III.18The Master said, ‘The full observance of the rules of propriety in serving one’s prince is accounted by people to be flattery.’The Master
III.19The Duke Ting asked how a prince should employ his ministers, and how ministers should serve their prince. Confucius replied, ‘A prince should employ his…The Master
III.22The Master said, ‘Small indeed was the capacity of Kwan Chung!’ Some one said, ‘Was Kwan Chung parsimonious?’ ‘Kwan,’ was the reply, ‘had the San Kwei, and his…The Master
III.24The border warden at Yi requested to be introduced to the Master, saying, ‘When men of superior virtue have come to this, I have never been denied the…
IV.15The Master said, ‘Shan, my doctrine is that of an all-pervading unity.’ The disciple Tsang replied, ‘Yes.’ The Master went out, and the other disciples asked,…The Master
IV.26Tsze-yu said, ‘In serving a prince, frequent remonstrances lead to disgrace. Between friends, frequent reproofs make the friendship distant.’Tsze-yu
V.16The Master said, ‘Yen P’ing knew well how to maintain friendly intercourse. The acquaintance might be long, but he showed the same respect as at first.’The Master
V.24The Master said, ‘Fine words, an insinuating appearance, and excessive respect;— Tso Ch’iu-ming was ashamed of them. I also am ashamed of them. To conceal…The Master
V.25Yen Yuan and Chi Lu being by his side, the Master said to them, ‘Come, let each of you tell his wishes.’ Tsze-lu said, ‘I should like, having chariots and…The Master
V.27The Master said, ‘In a hamlet of ten families, there may be found one honourable and sincere as I am, but not so fond of learning.’The Master
VI.13The Master said, ‘Mang Chih-fan does not boast of his merit. Being in the rear on an occasion of flight, when they were about to enter the gate, he whipped up…The Master
VII.24There were four things which the Master taught,— letters, ethics, devotion of soul, and truthfulness.
VIII.2The Master said, ‘Respectfulness, without the rules of propriety, becomes laborious bustle; carefulness, without the rules of propriety, becomes timidity;…The Master
VIII.4The philosopher Tsang being ill, Meng Chang went to ask how he was. Tsang said to him, ‘When a bird is about to die, its notes are mournful; when a man is…The philosopher Tsang
VIII.5The philosopher Tsang said, ‘Gifted with ability, and yet putting questions to those who were not so; possessed of much, and yet putting questions to those…The philosopher Tsang
VIII.13The Master said, ‘With sincere faith he unites the love of learning; holding firm to death, he is perfecting the excellence of his course. ‘Such an one will…The Master
VIII.16The Master said, ‘Ardent and yet not upright; stupid and yet not attentive; simple and yet not sincere:— such persons I do not understand.’The Master
IX.26The Master said, ‘Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Have no friends not equal to yourself. When you have faults, do not fear to abandon…The Master
X.1Confucius, in his village, looked simple and sincere, and as if he were not able to speak. When he was in the prince’s ancestorial temple, or in the court, he…
X.4When he entered the palace gate, he seemed to bend his body, as if it were not sufficient to admit him. When he was standing, he did not occupy the middle of…
X.15When any of his friends died, if he had no relations who could be depended on for the necessary offices, he would say, ‘I will bury him.’ When a friend sent…
XI.2The Master said, ‘Of those who were with me in Ch’an and Ts’ai, there are none to be found to enter my door.’ Distinguished for their virtuous principles and…The Master
XI.20The Master said, ‘If, because a man’s discourse appears solid and sincere, we allow him to be a good man, is he really a superior man? or is his gravity only…The Master
XI.25Tsze-lu, Tsang Hsi, Zan Yu, and Kung-hsi Hwa were sitting by the Master. He said to them, ‘Though I am a day or so older than you, do not think of that. ‘From…The Master
XII.10Tsze-chang having asked how virtue was to be exalted, and delusions to be discovered, the Master said, ‘Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles,…
XII.12The Master said, ‘Ah! it is Yu, who could with half a word settle litigations!’ Tsze-lu never slept over a promise.The Master
XII.23Tsze-kung asked about friendship. The Master said, ‘Faithfully admonish your friend, and skillfully lead him on. If you find him impracticable, stop. Do not…The Master
XII.24The philosopher Tsang said, ‘The superior man on grounds of culture meets with his friends, and by their friendship helps his virtue.’The philosopher Tsang
XIII.3Tsze-lu said, ‘The ruler of Wei has been waiting for you, in order with you to administer the government. What will you consider the first thing to be done?’…The Master
XIII.4Fan Ch’ih requested to be taught husbandry. The Master said, ‘I am not so good for that as an old husbandman.’ He requested also to be taught gardening, and…The Master
XIII.19Fan Ch’ih asked about perfect virtue. The Master said, ‘It is, in retirement, to be sedately grave; in the management of business, to be reverently attentive;…The Master
XIII.20Tsze-kung asked, saying, ‘What qualities must a man possess to entitle him to be called an officer? The Master said, ‘He who in his conduct of himself…The Master
XIII.28Tsze-lu asked, saying, ‘What qualities must a man possess to entitle him to be called a scholar?’ The Master said, ‘He must be thus,— earnest, urgent, and…The Master
XIV.2‘When the love of superiority, boasting, resentments, and covetousness are repressed, this may be deemed perfect virtue.’ The Master said, ‘This may be…The Master
XIV.21The Master said, ‘He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.’The Master
XIV.26Chu Po-yu sent a messenger with friendly inquiries to Confucius. Confucius sat with him, and questioned him. ‘What,’ said he, ‘is your master engaged in?’ The…
XV.5Tsze-chang asked how a man should conduct himself, so as to be everywhere appreciated. The Master said, ‘Let his words be sincere and truthful, and his actions…The Master
XV.9Tsze-kung asked about the practice of virtue. The Master said, ‘The mechanic, who wishes to do his work well, must first sharpen his tools. When you are living…The Master
XV.17The Master said, ‘The superior man in everything considers righteousness to be essential. He performs it according to the rules of propriety. He brings it…The Master
XV.22The Master said, ‘The superior man does not promote a man simply on account of his words, nor does he put aside good words because of the man.’The Master
XVI.4Confucius said, ‘There are three friendships which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Friendship with the upright; friendship with the sincere;…The Master
XVI.5Confucius said, ‘There are three things men find enjoyment in which are advantageous, and three things they find enjoyment in which are injurious. To find…The Master
XVI.10Confucius said, ‘The superior man has nine things which are subjects with him of thoughtful consideration. In regard to the use of his eyes, he is anxious to…The Master
XVII.6Tsze-chang asked Confucius about perfect virtue. Confucius said, ‘To be able to practise five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue.’ He…The Master
XVII.8The Master said, ‘Yu, have you heard the six words to which are attached six becloudings?’ Yu replied, ‘I have not.’ ‘Sit down, and I will tell them to you.…The Master
XIX.2Tsze-chang said, ‘When a man holds fast to virtue, but without seeking to enlarge it, and believes right principles, but without firm sincerity, what account…Tsze-chang
XIX.6Tsze-hsia said, ‘There are learning extensively, and having a firm and sincere aim; inquiring with earnestness, and reflecting with self-application:— virtue…Tsze-hsia
XIX.15Tsze-hsia said, ‘My friend Chang can do things which are hard to be done, but yet he is not perfectly virtuous.’Tsze-hsia
XX.1Yao said, ‘Oh! you, Shun, the Heaven-determined order of succession now rests in your person. Sincerely hold fast the due Mean. If there shall be distress and…