The Master said, "In letters I am perhaps equal to other men,
子曰：“文，莫吾犹人也。
but the character of the superior man, carrying out in his conduct what he professes, is what I have not yet attained to."
躬行君子，则吾未之有得。”
The Master said, "The sage and the man of perfect virtue; how dare I rank myself with them?
子曰：“若圣与仁，则吾岂敢？
It may simply be said of me, that I strive to become such without satiety, and teach others without weariness."
抑为之不厌，诲人不倦，则可谓云尔已矣。”
Kung-hsi Hwa said, "This is just what we, the disciples, cannot imitate you in."
公西华曰：“正唯弟子不能学也。”
The Master being very sick, Tsze-lu asked leave to pray for him.
子疾病，子路请祷。

He said, "May such a thing be done?"
子曰：“有诸？”
Tsze-lu replied, "It may. In the Eulogies it is said, 'Prayer has been made for thee to the spirits of the upper and lower worlds.'"
子路对曰：“有之。《诔》曰：‘祷尔于上下神祇。’”
The Master said, "My praying has been for a long time."
子曰：“丘之祷久矣。”
The Master said, "Extravagance leads to insubordination, and parsimony to meanness. It is better to be mean than to be insubordinate."
子曰：“奢则不孙，俭则固。与其不孙也，宁固。”
The Master said, "The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress."
子曰：“君子坦荡荡，小人长戚戚。”
The Master was mild, and yet dignified; majestic, and yet not fierce; respectful, and yet easy.
子温而厉，威而不猛，恭而安。