Chapter 14.
Confucius's services in correcting the music of his native State and adjusting the Book of Poetry.
The Master said, "I returned from Wei to Lû, and then the music was reformed, and the pieces in the Royal songs and Praise songs all found their proper places."
Chapter 15.
Confucius's very humble estimate of himself.
The Master said, "Abroad, to serve the high ministers and nobles; at home, to serve one's father and elder brothers; in all duties to the dead, not to dare not to exert one's self; and not to be overcome of wine:-- which one of these things do I attain to?"
Chapter 16.
How Confucius was affected by a running stream.
The Master standing by a stream, said, "It passes on just like this, not ceasing day or night!"
Chapter 17.
The rarity of a sincere love of virtue.
The Master said, "I have not seen one who loves virtue as he loves beauty."
Chapter 18.
That learners should not cease nor intermit their labours.
The Master said, "The prosecution of learning may be compared to what may happen in raising a mound. If there want but one basket of earth to complete the work, and I stop, the stopping is my own work. It may be compared to throwing down the earth on the level ground. Though but one basketful is thrown at a time, the advancing with it is my own going forward."
Chapter 19.
Hûi the earnest student.
The Master said, "Never flagging when I set forth anything to him;-- ah! that is Hûi."
Chapter 20.
Confucius's fond recollection of Hûi as a model student.
The Master said of Yen Yüan, "Alas! I saw his constant advance. I never saw him stop in his progress."
Chapter 21.
It is the end which crowns the work.
The Master said, "There are cases in which the blade springs, but the plant does not go on to flower! There are cases where it flowers but no fruit is subsequently produced!"
Chapter 22.
How and why a youth should be regarded with respect.
The Master said, "A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present? If he reach the age of forty or fifty, and has not made himself heard of, then indeed he will not be worth being regarded with respect."
Chapter 23.
The hopelessness of the case of those who assent and approve without reformation or serious thought.
The Master said, "Can men refuse to assent to the words of strict admonition? But it is reforming the conduct because of them which is valuable. Can men refuse to be pleased with words of gentle advice? But it is unfolding their aim which is valuable. If a man be pleased with these words, but does not unfold their aim, and assents to those, but does not reform his conduct, I can really do nothing with him."
Chapter 24.
See Book I Chapter 8.
The 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 them."
Chapter 25.
The will unsubduable.
The Master said, "The commander of the forces of a large state may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him."
Chapter 26.
Tsze-Lû's brave contentment in poverty, but failure to seek the highest aims.
1. The Master said, "Dressed himself in a tattered robe quilted with hemp, yet standing by the side of men dressed in furs, and not ashamed;-- ah! it is Yû who is equal to this!
2. "He dislikes none, he covets nothing;-- what can he do but what is good!"
3. Tsze-lû kept continually repeating these words of the ode, when the Master said, "Those things are by no means sufficient to constitute perfect excellence."
Chapter 27.
Men are known in times of adversity.
The Master said, "When the year becomes cold, then we know how the pine and the cypress are the last to lose their leaves."
Chapter 28.
The sequences of wisdom, virtue, and bravery.
The Master said, "The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear."
Chapter 29.
How different individuals stop at different stages of progress.
The Master said, "There are some with whom we may study in common, but we shall find them unable to go along with us to principles. Perhaps we may go on with them to principles, but we shall find them unable to get established in those along with us. Or if we may get so established along with them, we shall find them unable to weigh occurring events along with us."
Chapter 30.
The necessity of reflection.
1. "How the flowers of the aspen-plum flutter and turn! Do I not think of you? But your house is distant."
2. The Master said, "It is the want of thought about it. How is it distant?"