Tsz-kung asked, "I suppose a gentleman will have his aversions as well as his likings?"
"Yes," replied the Master, "he will dislike those who talk much about other people's ill-deeds. He will dislike those who, when occupying inferior places, utter defamatory words against their superiors. He will dislike those who, though they may be brave, have no regard for propriety. And he will dislike those hastily decisive and venturesome spirits who are nevertheless so hampered by limited intellect."
"And you, too, Tsz-kung," he continued, "have your aversions, have you not?"
"I dislike," said he, "those plagiarists who wish to pass for wise persons. I dislike those people who wish their lack of humility to be taken for bravery. I dislike also those divulgers of secrets who think to be accounted straightforward."
"Of all others," said the Master, "women-servants and men-servants are the most difficult people to have the care of. Approach them in a familiar manner, and they take liberties; keep them at a distance, and they grumble."
Again, "When a man meets with odium at forty, he will do so to the end."
Footnote
[32] Different woods were adopted for this purpose at the various seasons.