The Master said, To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men; and the employment of the people at the proper seasons.鈥�
Chi K鈥檃ng asked about Chung-yu, whether he was fit to be employed as an officer of government. The Master said, Yu is a man of decision; what difficulty would he find in being an officer of government?鈥� K鈥檃ng asked, Is Ts鈥檢e fit to be employed as an officer of government?鈥� and was answered, Ts鈥檢e is a man of intelligence; what difficulty would he find in being an officer of government?鈥� And to the same question about Ch鈥檌u the Master gave the same reply, saying, Ch鈥檌u is a man of various ability.鈥�
The Master, speaking of Chung-kung, said, If the calf of a brindled cow be red and homed, although men may not wish to use it, would the spirits of the mountains and rivers put it aside?鈥�
Wang-sun Chia asked, saying, What is the meaning of the saying, 鈥業t is better to pay court to the furnace then to the southwest corner?鈥欌��
The Master said, When a man is not in the habit of saying-鈥橶hat shall I think of this? What shall I think of this?鈥� I can indeed do nothing with him!鈥�
The Master was wishing Ch鈥檌-tiao K鈥檃i to enter an official employment. He replied, I am not yet able to rest in the assurance of this.鈥� The Master was pleased.
Tsze-chang said, What is meant by being beneficent without great expenditure?鈥� The Master replied, When the person in authority makes more beneficial to the people the things from which they naturally derive benefit;-is not this being beneficent without great expenditure? When he chooses the labors which are proper, and makes them labor on them, who will repine? When his desires are set on benevolent government, and he secures it, who will accuse him of covetousness? Whether he has to do with many people or few, or with things great or small, he does not dare to indicate any disrespect;-is not this to maintain a dignified ease without any pride? He adjusts his clothes and cap, and throws a dignity into his looks, so that, thus dignified, he is looked at with awe;-is not this to be majestic without being fierce?鈥�