If one acts for the sake of profit, one will often be blamed. If one seeks benevolence and attains it, what is there to complain about?
The gentleman plans for the Way, not for food; the gentleman worries about the Way, not about poverty.
If the advice is righteous, is it possible not to follow it? What is precious is to make corrections. If the criticism is harsh, is it possible not to feel pleasure? What is precious is to analyze and reflect. If one feels pleasure but does not analyze, or follows but does not correct, then there is nothing more to be done.
The gentleman honors the virtuous and tolerates the common, praises the good and shows compassion for the incapable.
Without learning propriety, one cannot stand firm in society.
In daily life, be respectful; in handling affairs, be reverent; in dealing with others, be faithful.
The gentleman is reverent and makes no mistakes. In dealing with others, he is respectful and follows propriety. Within the four seas, all are brothers. If one speaks with integrity and trust, and acts with sincerity and reverence, one can succeed even among the barbarians of distant lands. If one’s speech lacks integrity and one’s actions lack sincerity, can one succeed even in one’s hometown? To have shame in one’s conduct, to be sent as an envoy to the four directions and not disgrace the ruler’s mission, this can be called a scholar.
Confucius said, 'If one can practice five virtues in all the land, that is benevolence.' They asked what they were. He said, 'Respectfulness, generosity, trustworthiness, diligence, and kindness. Respectfulness prevents insults, generosity wins the people, trustworthiness earns reliance, diligence brings success, and kindness enables effective leadership.'
The gentleman takes righteousness as his substance, propriety as his conduct, humility as his expression, and trustworthiness as his accomplishment. How truly he is a gentleman!
To make a mistake and not correct it, that is truly a mistake!