The Master said, 'Riches and honors are what men desire. If they cannot be obtained in the proper way, they should not be held. Poverty and meanness are what men dislike. If they cannot be avoided in the proper way, they should not be avoided.'
— Confucius Ancient

Chinese philosopher, founder of Confucianism

Share:

Details

Context

Analects, Book IV, Chapter 5

Date / Period

c. 5th century BCE

Category

Humorous

Source

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3330/3330-h/3330-h.htm#link2H_4_0004

Verification

Unverifiable

Explanation

Found in 1 providers: grok

Method

Cross Reference

Sources Checked

1 source

More from Confucius

"The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar."

Philosophical

"A man without constancy cannot be a diviner or a physician."

Strange & Unusual

"The Master said, 'The superior man is anxious lest he should not get the truth; he is not anxious lest poverty should come upon him.'"

Humorous

"The superior man is easy to serve and difficult to please."

Strange & Unusual

"When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them."

Strange & Unusual
View all sayings from Confucius