Translation:
Confucius said: "A gentleman does not seek to be satisfied with his diet, nor does he seek comfort in his residence. He is diligent and quick in his work, but cautious in his words. He goes to the right people. If you correct yourself, you can be said to be eager to learn."
Original text:
Confucius said: "A gentleman has nothing to eat and nothing to live in. He is quick to do things and cautious in speech. If you have the right way, you can be said to be eager to learn."
Source: From the "Xue Er Pian" of "The Analects of Confucius" written by Confucius and his disciples during the Spring and Autumn Period.
Introduction to "Xueer Pian":
"Xueer" is the title of the first chapter of "The Analects of Confucius". Each chapter in "The Analects of Confucius" generally uses the first two or three characters of the first chapter as the title of the chapter. One chapter of "Xueer" includes 16 chapters, covering many aspects. The key points are "I should examine myself three times every day"; "Be frugal in use and love others so that people can take advantage of their time"; "Harmony is the most precious thing in the use of etiquette" as well as moral categories such as benevolence, filial piety and trustworthiness.
The Analects of Confucius is one of the classic works of the Confucian school, compiled by Confucius's disciples and his disciples. It is mainly composed of quotations and dialogues, recording the words and deeds of Confucius and his disciples, and embodies Confucius' political opinions, theoretical thoughts, moral concepts and educational principles. Together with "The Great Learning", "The Doctrine of the Mean", "Mencius", "The Book of Songs", "Shangshu", "The Book of Rites", "The Book of Changes" and "The Spring and Autumn Annals", they are also called the "Four Books and Five Classics".
Extended information:
About the author:
Confucius (September 28, 551 BC - April 11, 479 BC), surnamed Zi , Kong family, named Qiu and styled Zhongni, was a native of Zou Yi (now Qufu, Shandong Province) of the state of Lu in the late Spring and Autumn Period, and his ancestral home was Li Yi (now Xiayi, Henan Province) of the Song state. He was an ancient Chinese thinker, educator, and founder of the Confucian school.
Confucius created the culture of private lectures and advocated benevolence, justice, etiquette, wisdom and trust. He once led some of his disciples to travel around the country for thirteen years. In his later years, he revised the Six Classics of Poems, Book, Rites, Music, Yi, and Spring and Autumn. According to legend, Confucius once asked Laozi for advice and had three thousand disciples, including seventy-two sages. After Confucius's death, his disciples and his subsequent disciples recorded the words, deeds, quotes and thoughts of Confucius and his disciples, and compiled them into the Confucian classic "The Analects of Confucius". In ancient times, Confucius was revered as the "Sage of Heaven" and "The Wooden Duo of Heaven". He was one of the most erudite scholars in the society at that time. He was respected by later rulers as the Saint of Confucius, the Most Holy, the Most Holy Teacher, and the Greatest Master. The forefather of King Sheng Wenxuan and the role model for all generations.
His thoughts have a profound impact on China and the world, and he is listed as the first among the "Top Ten Cultural Celebrities in the World". As the influence of Confucius expanded, the "Confucius Ceremony" to worship Confucius once became a "big sacrifice" on the same level as the Chinese ancestor gods.