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The Way Of A Leader
Character Building
- Guard against greed
- Be frugal and diligent
- Refrain from anger
- Emulate good deeds
- Correcting our own mistakes
Be Respectful of Relatives
Self-Reflection
Be Respectful of Wise and Able Ministers
Be Receptive to Counsels from Ministers
Be Averse to Slanderous and Malevolent Advice
Be Perceptive and Astute
The Art Of A Minister
Uphold Integrity
Serve with Utmost Loyalty
Presenting Counsels
Nominating the Right Administrators
Esteeming Virtues
Be Respectful of the Dao
Filial Piety and Kinship
Benevolence and Righteousness
Be Sincere and Trustworthy
Righting Oneself
Magnanimity
Humility
Be Discreet
Making Friends
The Art of Learning
Perseverance
On The Subject Of Administration
Engaging the Principles
Good Judge of Character
Appointing Officials
Paramount Impartiality
Teach and Transform
Propriety and Music
Caring about People
The Livelihood of People
Learn from the Past
The Basis of Principles
Reward and Punishment
Law and Statute
Be Careful With Military Actions
Generals and Soldiers
Respectfully Cautious
Taking Precautions
Social Customs
Conquering Chaos
Heedful of Troubling Signs
Making Correct Response
Exercise Caution from the Beginning to the End
Maintaining Good Health
Discerning
Good or Evil
Human Sentiments
Talents and Virtues
Formation of Cliques
Differences that Matter
Cause and Effect


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Discerning > Good or Evil

Confucius said: “A superior person may hold different opinions from others but he can live in harmony with others. A petty person may seem agreeable with others but he cannot live in harmony with others.”

Scroll 9: Lun Yu


Confucius said: “A superior person perfects what is good in people. He does not perfect what is bad. A petty person does the opposite.”

Scroll 9: Lun Yu


A superior person conceals the faults of others as a means to cultivate his own kindness. A petty person destroys the kind deeds of others as a means to show off his own greatness.

Scroll 48: Ti Lun


Zigong asked Confucius: “Will superior persons despise anyone?” Confucius said: “Superior persons despise people who expose the faults of others. They despise subordinates who slander their superiors. They despise brave people who are discourteous, and they despise resolute people who are unreasonable.”*

Scroll 9: Lun Yu

*We should avoid exposing the wrongdoings of others but propagate as many kind deeds as we can. When a subordinate sees faults in his superior he should propose some alternatives that can help his superior to change. If the superior insists on his own ways, the subordinate can choose to submit his resignation. But slandering one’s superior behind his back is not an honorable thing to do. Bravery that is not in accord with protocols will easily compel one to rebel against one’s superior; resoluteness that is not in accord with reasons will not only ruin a course but also hurt other people.


Superior persons possess solid principles and goals, and every plan that they make is firmly grounded in these principles. They do not need to know too many principles, but whatever they know is applied in their daily life. They do not need to do too many things, but whatever they do is done with good reasons. Their minds are calm and rest in good faith as if it is second nature to them. When they do good deeds, they are always apprehensive about not being able to put in their best efforts. Petty persons do the opposite. They do not care about moral principles, they cannot speak of remonstrations that are meaningful, they refuse to take lessons from the virtuous to improve themselves, and they cannot ground themselves in good deeds. They simply go with the flow, oblivious to their deeds.

Scroll 48: Ti Lun


 


The Governing Principles of Ancient China - Qunshu Zhiyao 360 • e-mail: amtb@amtb.tw