Promoting virtues such as filial devotion, compassion, loyalty, and propriety, these dialogues between the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius and his disciples comprise the crux of Confucianism. Put faithfulness and truth first; have no friends unlike thyself; be not ashamed to mend thy faults. Wisdom has no doubts; love does not fret; the bold have no fears. To rank the effort above the prize may be called love. There may be men that do things without knowing why. I do not. To hear much, pick out the good and follow it; to see much and think it over; this comes next to wisdom. When a bird is dying his notes are sad; when man is dying his words are good.
