
vol. 1, p. 131
The Nature and Destiny of Man: A Christian Interpretation (1941)
No. 112
Characteristics, in the manner of Rochefoucauld's Maxims (1823)
vol. 1, p. 131
The Nature and Destiny of Man: A Christian Interpretation (1941)
The Analects, The Doctrine of the Mean
Context: The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a position of wealth and honor, he does what is proper to a position of wealth and honor. In a poor and low position, he does what is proper to a poor and low position. Situated among barbarous tribes, he does what is proper to a situation among barbarous tribes. In a position of sorrow and difficulty, he does what is proper to a position of sorrow and difficulty. The superior man can find himself in no situation in which he is not himself. In a high situation, he does not treat with contempt his inferiors. In a low situation, he does not court the favor of his superiors. He rectifies himself, and seeks for nothing from others, so that he has no dissatisfactions. He does not murmur against Heaven, nor grumble against men. Thus it is that the superior man is quiet and calm, waiting for the appointments of Heaven, while the mean man walks in dangerous paths, looking for lucky occurrences.
As quoted in A Year with the Saints (1891) by Anonymous, p. 47
Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), P. 221.
The Devil's Notebook (1992)
Diogenes of Sinope, as quoted in Pearls of Thought (1882), edited by Maturin Murray Ballou, p. 22
Misattributed
The Analects, Chapter I
Listen, Little Man! (1948)
Context: My intellect tells me: "Tell the truth at any cost." The Little Man in me says: "It is stupid to expose oneself to the little man, to put oneself at his mercy. The Little Man does not want to hear the truth about himself. He does not want the great responsibility which is his. He wants to remain a Little Man. He wants to remain a Little Man, or wants to become a little great man. He wants to become rich, or a party leader, or commander of a legion, or secretary of the society for the abolition of vice. But he does not want to assume responsibility for his work..."
“He knows the universe, and himself he does not know.”
Il connaît l’univers, et ne se connaît pas.
Book VIII (1678–1679), fable 26.
Fables (1668–1679)