Gongye Chang

This chapter mainly features Confucius' evaluations of historical and contemporary figures, assessing their character, merits, and shortcomings.

Table of contents

Beyond Disgrace: The Confucian Ethic of Judging Character by Virtue, Not Circumstance
Prudence and Virtue: The Confucian Ideal of Adaptive Wisdom
The Cultivation of Virtue Through Humanistic Environment
The Vessel of Virtue: A Confucian Discourse on Human Excellence and Social Responsibility
Against Eloquence: The Confucian Virtue of Restraint in Speech
Humility Before Service: The Confucian Virtue of Self-Doubt
The Virtue of Valiance and the Peril of Impulse: A Confucian Lesson on Self-Cultivation
The High Standard of Ren: Confucius on the Balance of Talent and Virtue
The Humility of Understanding: A Lesson in Intellectual Virtue from Confucius
The Integrity of Word and Deed: A Confucian Lesson on Authenticity
Desire and Integrity: The Confucian Critique of Inner Weakness
The Way of Benevolence and the Practice of Reciprocity: A Confucian Dialogue on Moral Aspiration
The Veiled Way: On the Ineffability of Human Nature and the Heavenly Mandate in Confucian Pedagogy
The Fear That Precedes Practice: On the Unity of Knowledge and Action in Confucian Ethics
The Humble Pursuit of Wisdom: Learning Without Shame
The Four Virtues of a Confucian Leader: Self-Cultivation, Service, Benevolence, and Righteous Governance
Enduring Respect in Friendship: The Virtue of Sustained Interpersonal Harmony
The Wisdom of Propriety: A Critique of Ostentation in Confucian Ritual
On the Singular Virtue and the Holistic Nature of Ren: A Confucian Inquiry
The Golden Mean in Deliberation: Confucius on the Balance of Prudence and Action
The Sublime Wisdom of Apparent Foolishness: Confucius on the Art of Adaptive Intelligence
The Art of Becoming a Vessel: On Ambition, Discipline, and Refinement in Confucian Self-Cultivation
The Virtue of Letting Go: Forgiveness and Harmony in Confucian Thought
The Virtue of Authenticity: Confucius on Genuine Character vs. Feigned Integrity
On Sincerity and Integrity: Confucius on Hypocrisy and Hidden Resentment
The Aspirations of Benevolence: Self-Cultivation and Social Harmony in Confucian Thought
The Virtue of Introspective Self-Criticism: A Confucian Lesson on Moral Rectification
The Primacy of Learning: How Earnest Inquiry Distinguishes the Virtuous from the Merely Good