Great Throughts Treasury

"When a man is dying his words are worth listening to."

"I daily examine myself on three points-- whether, in transacting business for others, I may have been not faithful; whether, in intercourse with friends, I may have been not sincere; whether I may have not mastered and practiced the instructions of my teacher."

"A gentleman makes friends by learning together with others, and he looks to friends to help him cultivate benevolence."

"A virtuous man concentrates on his own work, not that of others."

"Every day I reflect upon three things: Have I done my best to do my job well? Have I been a trusted friend? Have I put into practice lessons given to me by my teacher, or prepared my lessons before teaching them to my students?"

"Daily, I examine myself in three areas. Have I done my best when doing things for others? Have I been trustworthy in my dealings with my friends? Have I revised the lessons I have been taught?"

"May I ask what the Seven Lessons are about?? Confucius said: ?If a leader respects old people, his subjects will show more filial obedience toward their parents. If a leader respects the elderly, his subjects will show more respect toward their elder siblings. If a leader is kind and giving, his subjects will become more tolerant and generous. If a leader favors the virtuous, his subjects will attach more importance to choosing their friends wisely. If a leader places great importance on ethical conducts, his subjects will not commit acts that cannot be revealed to the public. If a leader is not greedy, his subjects will be ashamed of fighting with each other for profits. If a leader is honorable and humble, his subjects will uphold integrity firmly. These are the Seven Lessons, the foundation of governing. Once the principles of governing are established, the government will become stable and strong. Since people look up to all the senior ministers and bureaucrats as examples to follow, and as long as they are upright, what else cannot be upright?"