The Master made four things the subject of his teaching: a knowledge of literature and the arts, conduct, conscientiousness and truthfulness.[2]
The Master fished with a line but not with a net. When he went out with bow and arrow, he only shot at birds on the wing.
If the Master happened to be with singers, and they sang a piece well, he would get them to repeat it, when he would also join in the song himself.
The Master was affable, yet grave; stern, but not fierce; attentive in his behaviour, and yet calm.
The Master seldom spoke of money-making, of the laws of Providence, or of moral virtue.[3]
There were four words of which the Master barred the use: he would have no "shall's," no "must's," no "certainly's," no "I's".[4]
Whenever the Master saw a person in mourning, or in official robes, or one who was blind, he would at once rise from his seat, even though the other were his junior; or if he passed them in the street, he would quicken his step.[5]
Once when the Master was lying seriously ill, Tzŭ Lu got the disciples to act the part of Ministers of State.[6] In an interval of his sickness, Confucius said: What a long time Yu has been keeping up this imposture! In pretending to have ministers attendant on me when I have none, whom am I deceiving? Am I deceiving God? But apart from that, is it not better that I should breathe my last in the arms of my disciples, than that I should die in the midst of officials? And after all, though I may not be accorded the honour of a public funeral, I am not dying out on the high road.
The Master wished to settle among the nine eastern tribes. Some one said: How can you? They are savages.—The Master replied: If a higher type of man dwelt in their midst, how could their savage condition last?
Confucius in his native village was simple and unassuming. He gave the impression of being no great speaker. In the ancestral temple and at Court he spoke fluently, but with a certain reserve.