The Analects of Confucius (from the Chinese Classics), Book 13 summary

What happens

1. Confucius urges leaders to serve tirelessly, appoint capable people, and make their language accurate enough to guide action.
2. He places moral example above farming skills and tests learning by its usefulness in public duties.
3. In Wei, he recommends prosperity followed by education and describes good government as a task requiring sustained effort.
4. He warns against unchecked rulers, haste, and small gains, while defending family concealment as a form of uprightness.
5. He distinguishes worthy officers and superior people through their conduct, sincerity, steadiness, and treatment of others.
6. He ends by insisting that people need instruction before they face military service.

In this book

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