The Master's frequent themes of discourse were-the Odes, the History, and the maintenance of the Rules of Propriety. On all these he frequently discoursed.
子所雅言，《诗》、《书》、执礼，皆雅言也。
The Duke of Sheh asked Tsze-lu about Confucius, and Tsze-lu did not answer him.
叶公问孔子于子路，子路不对。
The Master said, "Why did you not say to him, He is simply a man, who in his eager pursuit of knowledge forgets his food,
子曰：“女奚不曰：其为人也，发愤忘食，
who in the joy of its attainment forgets his sorrows, and who does not perceive that old age is coming on?"
乐以忘忧，不知老之将至云尔。”
The Master said, "I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there."
子曰：“我非生而知之者，好古，敏以求之者也。”

The subjects on which the Master did not talk, were-extraordinary things, feats of strength, disorder, and spiritual beings.
子不语怪、力、乱、神。
The Master said, "When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers.
子曰：“三人行，必有我师焉。
I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them."
择其善者而从之，其不善者而改之。”
The Master said, "Heaven produced the virtue that is in me. Hwan T'ui — what can he do to me?"
子曰：“天生德于予，桓魋其如予何？”
The Master said, "Do you think, my disciples, that I have any concealments? I conceal nothing from you.
子曰：“二三子以我为隐乎？吾无隐乎尔！
There is nothing which I do that is not shown to you, my disciples; that is my way."
吾无行而不与二三子者，是丘也。”