“ Poverty and meanness are what men dislike. If it cannot be avoided in the proper way, they should not be avoided. ”
Confucius, Analects. copy citation
| Author | Confucius |
|---|---|
| Source | Analects |
| Topic | meanness poverty |
| Date | |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by James Legge |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/3330/pg3330-images.html |
Context
“The Master said, 'If the will be set on virtue, there will be no practice of wickedness.' CHAP. V. 1. The Master said, 'Riches and honours are what men desire. If it cannot be obtained in the proper way, they should not be held. Poverty and meanness are what men dislike. If it cannot be avoided in the proper way, they should not be avoided. 2. 'If a superior man abandon virtue, how can he fulfil the requirements of that name? 3. 'The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he cleaves to it.”
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