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Analects (Legge) · Book XII

Analects (Legge) · Book XII

Book XII 8

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21
  22. 22
  23. 23
  24. 24

1 Chi Tsze-ch’ang said, ‘In a superior man it is only the substantial qualities which are wanted;— why should we seek for ornamental accomplishments?’

2 Tsze-kung said, ‘Alas! Your words, sir, show you to be a superior man, but four horses cannot overtake the tongue.

3 Ornament is as substance; substance is as ornament. The hide of a tiger or a leopard stripped of its hair, is like the hide of a dog or a goat stripped of its hair.’