Book XII 20

1 Tsze-chang asked, ‘What must the officer be, who may be said to be distinguished?’

2 The Master said, ‘What is it you call being distinguished?’

3 Tsze-chang replied, ‘It is to be heard of through the State, to be heard of throughout his clan.’

4 The Master said, ‘That is notoriety, not distinction.

5 ‘Now the man of distinction is solid and straightforward, and loves righteousness. He examines people’s words, and looks at their countenances. He is anxious to humble himself to others. Such a man will be distinguished in the country; he will be distinguished in his clan.

6 ‘As to the man of notoriety, he assumes the appearance of virtue, but his actions are opposed to it, and he rests in this character without any doubts about himself. Such a man will be heard of in the country; he will be heard of in the clan.’