از گلچین های مقدس ادبی کنفوسیوس، فصل ۹، ۱۱ و ۱۴، قسمت ۱ از ۲

Must thee superior man have such variety of ability? He does not need variety of ability. If a superior man dwelt among them, what rudeness would there be? Praise songs all found their proper places. 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 to be overcome of wine: which one of these things do I attain to? It passes on just lide this, not ceasing day or night! There are cases in which the blade springs, but the plant does not go on to flower! There are cases where it flowers but fruit is not subsequently produced! A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present? When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them. 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. Those things are by no means sufficient to constitute perfect excellence. When the year becomes cold, then we know how the pine and the cypress are the last to lose their leaves. The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear. While you do not know life, how can you know about death? To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.