In old days men studied for the sake of self-improvement; nowadays men study in order to impress other people. — Confucius
December 2012
The Ways of the True Gentleman
The Master said, The Ways of the true gentleman are three. I myself have met with success in none of them. For he that is really Good is never unhappy, he that is really wise is never perplexed, he that is really brave is never afraid. Tzu-kung said, That, Master, is your own Way! — The Analects of Confucius Read more →
LinkedIn Recommendation
This is the character of the man: so intent upon enlightening the eager that he forgets his hunger, and so happy in doing so, that he forgets the bitterness of his lot and does not realize that old age is at hand. Read more →
A gentleman does not grieve that people do not recognize his merits; he grieves at his own incapacities — Confucius
eEconomics – Gas Taxes
We are all here on earth to help others; what the others are here for, I don’t know. — W.H. Auden
Chinese Women Can Afford to be Picky
Via Steven Landsburg: China has one of the highest male-female sex ratios in the world. That means women can afford to be picky. Here are the requirements listed by a female graduate student seeking a mate on the Chinese equivalent of match.com: Never married Masters degree or more Not from Wuhan No rural I.D. card No only children No smokers No alcoholics No gamblers Taller than one hundred and seventy-two centimeters More than a year of dating before marriage Sporty Parents who are still together Annual salary over fifty thousand yuan Between twenty-six and thirty-two years of age Willing to guarantee eating at least four dinners at home per week At least two ex-girlfriends but no more than four No Virgos, no Capricorns Read more →
A People That No Longer Trusts Its Rulers is Lost Indeed
zu-Kung asked about government. The Master said, sufficient food, sufficient weapons, and the confidence of the common people. Tzu-Kung said, Suppose you had no choice but to dispense with one of these three, which would you forgo? The Master said, Weapons. Tzu-Kung said, Suppose you were forced to dispense with one of the two that were left, which would you forgo? The Master said, Food. For from of old death has been the lot of all men; but a people that no longer trusts its rulers is lost indeed. — The Analects of Confucius Read more →