It is written in the Memoirs of the Elder Huang Shi: “The gentle could overcome the tough, and the weak could overcome the ruthless.” Being gentle is virtuous, and being tough is harmful. Naturally, the weak receive help from benevolent people, but ruthless people will only arouse enmity. Individuals who give up what is near at hand and seek what is far away will achieve little success despite their efforts. Individuals who give up what is far and seek what is near will achieve success easily. This will help more loyal officials to serve the state better, but the futile efforts of the former will only cause more people to revolt against the government. Therefore, it is said that a lord who craves to conquer more lands will eventually find his own lands turning barren. A lord who works on inculcating good morals among the people will lead his state to become stronger. Cherishing possessions already owned results in peace, but craving for others’ possessions would make one become ruthless. Even when ruthless politics might bring success in the short run, in the long run it inevitably brings defeat.”

Scroll 21: Hou Han Shu, Vol. 1

Confucius said: “There are three thousand offenses against which the five punishments of the ancient times are directed, and not one of them is greater than being unfilial. Those who threaten the ruler are repudiating his superiority. Those who undermine the authority of the sages are repudiating the validity of all laws and propriety. Those who malign filial piety are disowning the affection toward their parents. These three kinds of people will pave the way for anarchy.”

Scroll 9: Xiao Jing

If everyone in the country is fighting for their own interest, the country will be placed in danger.

Scroll 37: Meng Zi

Duke Ai asked Confucius: “I have heard that building an extension on the east side of a house is inauspicious. Is this true?” Confucius said: “There are five inauspicious matters but building an extension on the east side of a house is not one of them. Damaging others to benefit oneself is inauspicious for oneself. Abandoning the old in favor of the young is inauspicious for the family. Dismissing the able and virtuous in favor of the unworthy is inauspicious for the country. When elders refuse to teach and the young refuse to learn, this is inauspicious for the society. When the sages are in hiding and the ignorant hold power, this is inauspicious for the world. All in all, these are the five inauspicious matters but building an extension on the east side of the house is not one of them.”

Scroll 10: Kong Zi Jia Yu