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Updated: October 28, 2026
That is the, eminent man, though he may not be a famous one." If a ruler can govern himself, he is likely to be able to govern his people. But how can a man who has not control of himself keep his people in subjection? Tze-kung asked, "Is it proper that a man should be liked by all his neighbours?" "Certainly not," said the master.
A high officer asked Tze-kung, "May we not say that the master is a sage because he can do so many things?" To which Tze-kung replied, "Heaven has indeed highly endowed him, and he is almost a sage; and he is very many-sided." On hearing this the master said, "Does the officer know me? Being of lowly birth when I was young, I learnt many a trade, but there was nothing great in that.
There can be no proxy in this matter. Tze-kung wanted to do away with the offering of a sheep at the new moon. The master said, "Thou lovest the sheep, but I love the ceremony." These things are not to be tolerated: Rank without generosity, ritual without reverence, and mourning without genuine sorrow. It is better to have virtue with want and ignominy, than wealth and honour without virtue.