This comes from the first chapter of The Analects, "Xue Er" (Learning): "Zi Qin (a disciple of Confucius) asked Zi Gong (a disciple of Confucius): 'When the Master arrives in a state, he invariably learns about its governance. Does he seek this information, or is it given to him?' Zi Gong replied: 'The Master obtains it through being Wen (cordial), Liang (kind), Gong (respectful), Jian (frugal), and Rang (deferential). The Master's way of seeking it—is it not different from how others seek it?'"
Throughout his life, Confucius devoted himself to teaching, especially after returning from his travels through various states, focusing on cultivating talent. Zi Qin and Zi Gong (two of Confucius's disciples) were both his students; Zi Gong (the most outstanding among Confucius's disciples) joined earlier. Zi Qin, named Kang and also styled Zi Yuan, was forty years younger than Confucius. One day, Zi Qin asked Zi Gong: "Whenever our teacher arrives in a state, he always learns about its governance. Does he seek this information himself, or do others voluntarily tell him?" Zi Gong replied: "Our teacher learns about governance through being gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and humble. (One could say he seeks it, but) the method by which our teacher seeks it is probably different from how others seek it."
The five characters "Wen (Gentleness), Liang (Kindness), Gong (Respectfulness), Jian (Frugality), and Rang (Deference)" highly summarize Confucius's demeanor, character, cultivation, and attitude in dealing with others. With a gentle attitude, one's appearance becomes dignified. With a kind heart, one makes others feel close. With respectful words and actions, one commands reverence. With a frugal lifestyle, one's mind remains clear. With deference and humility in matters, one naturally earns others' respect and trust. Gentleness brings a harmonious appearance, kindness a good heart, respectfulness an inner solemnity, frugality few desires, and deference a proper conduct. Possessing these five qualities, Confucius made the lords of various states trust and respect him, without suspecting his involvement in their governance, so they willingly treated him sincerely and consulted him on the way of governance.