"Rely upon good nature. 'Twill not allow precedence even to a teacher.
"The superior man is inflexibly upright, and takes not things upon trust.
"In serving your prince, make your service the serious concern, and let salary be a secondary matter.
"Where instruction is to be given, there must be no distinction of persons.
"Where men's methods are not identical, there can be no planning by one on behalf of another.
"In speaking, perspicuity is all that is needed."
When the blind music-master Mien paid him a visit, on his approaching the steps the Master called out "Steps," and on his coming to the mat, said "Mat." When all in the room were seated, the Master told him "So-and-so is here, so-and-so is here."
When the music-master had left, Tsz-chang said to him, "Is that the way to speak to the music-master?" "Well," he replied, "it is certainly the way to assist him."
BOOK XVI
Against Intestine Strife—Good and Bad Friendships