Zengzi said: “An officer cannot be without breadth of mind and vigorous endurance. His responsibilities are heavy and his journey ahead is far and long indeed. When committed to practicing the virtue of benevolence as a personal goal, is this not a heavy responsibility? Only with death will this commitment end. Is this not a journey that is far and long indeed?”

Scroll 9: Lun Yu

If there is one word that you should hold permanently to your heart, it is this word, Shu—“What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” If there is one standard of conduct that you should always exemplify, it is this, Zheng—“Integrity”. Shu is the practice that leads to benevolence, and Zheng is the key to righteousness.

Scroll 46: Shen Jian

Yan Yuan asked Confucius about the definition of “benevolence.” Confucius answered: “To be able to control your desires and to let your words and deeds to be steadfast in propriety is benevolence. Once you can do this you will be able to affect the world to become benevolent also. Take the initiatives upon yourself and do not expect initiation from someone else.” Yan Yuan asked again: “How can one carry on such a practice?” Confucius replied: “Do not look at things that do not accord with propriety. Do not listen to things that do not accord with propriety. Do not say things that do not accord with propriety, and do not do anything that does not accord with propriety.”

Scroll 9: Lun Yu

Zhong-gong asked about benevolence. Confucius said: “When you face the public, act as if you were greeting prestigious guests. While employing the services of the common people, act as if you were officiating a major ceremony. What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others. In this way, you will not incur any bitter feelings from anybody.”

Scroll 9: Lun Yu

A man should not forget the friends he made when he was poor. A wife who has shared her husbands hardships must never be cast aside.

Scroll 22: Hou Han Shu, Vol. 2