Confucius Analects

The Confucian Analects (2) Book XIII. Tsze-lu, 13.25 The Master said, “The superior man is easy to serve and difficult to please. If you try to please him in any way which is not accordant with right, he will not be pleased. But in his employment of men, he uses them according to their capacity. The mean man is difficult to serve, and easy to please. If you try to please him, though it may be in a way which is not accordant with right, he may be pleased. But in his employment of men, he wishes them to be equal to everything.” Book XV. Wei Ling Kung, 15.28 The Master said, “When the multitude hate a man, it is necessary to examine into the case. When the multitude like a man, it is necessary to examine into the case.” Book XVI. Ke She, 16.4 Confucius said, “There are three friendships which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Friendship with the upright; friendship with the sincere; and friendship with the man of much observation: these are advantageous. Friendship with the man of specious airs; friendship with the insinuatingly soft; and friendship with the glib-tongued: these are injurious.”