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Puzzling: 2.22, 5.28- In previous scripture (1.16), the master mentions that a gentleman should appreciate others but in this passage the master, himself does not do so because he believes that no one wants to learn as much as he does. This passage also contradicts 7.33-34!

Pertinent: 4.2, 6.26

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Puzzling quote :
1.13 "Trustworthiness comes close to rightness because your words can be counted on. Respect-fulness comes close to ritual propriety because it allows you to stay clear of shame and disgrace. If you do not lose the affection of those who are your relatives by marriage, then you could have the respect of your clan."
2.20 " How can I get the common people to be respectful,to do their best, and to encourage each other to strive forward?" The Master said, "Oversee the people with dignity,  and the people will be respectful. Honor the elderly, cherish the young, and the people will do their best. Acknowledge the good, teach the incompetent, and the people will encourage each other to strive forward."

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Puzzling Quote- 6.10
"We are going to lose him! Such is a force of destiny, that this man should have  this illness, that this man should have this illness."
I am puzzled by this quote because illness is a horrible event that has effect. I do not understand why an illness is a force of destiny.

One important quote- 8.2
"Unless a man acts according to the spirit rites, in being respectful, he will tire himself out; in being cautious, he will become timid; in being brave, he will become unruly; in being forthright, he will become derisive."
This quote from the Master talks a lot about what a mans role should be in his religion and society. Each man must accept who he is and challenge himself to become the best man he can be in his lifetime.

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One puzzling quote is: 8.20 "Shun had five ministers, and the empire was well governed. King Wu said, 'I have ten able ministers.'"
This quote is puzzling to me because I'm not quite sure as to how it relates to the topic and the rest of the quotes.

One important quote is: 1.2 "Master You [Youzi] said, 'It is rare for a person who is filial to his parents and respectful to his elders to be inclined to transgress against his superiors. And it has never happened that a person who is not inclined to transgress against his superiors is inclined to create chaos. A gentleman looks after the roots. With the roots firmly established, a moral way will grow. Is it not true then that being filial to one's parents and being respectful to one's elders are the roots of one's humanity?'"
I think this quote is important because it in a way defines a 'filial' person and sets guidelines for what someone who is filial would look like.

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Puzzling Quote: " Sublime was the way Shun and Yu held possession of the empire-- they got it without seeking it, and once they had it, they took no part in it, and they thought nothing of it." I'm just a bit confused as to what this means. I get the gist of it, but need a little more background maybe?

Pertinent: I liked the quote 1.7. "if a person is able to appreciate moral worth as much as he appreciates physical beauty, is able to serve his parents with the utmost effort and his lord with no self interest, and in his relationship with friends is trust worthy in words, though he may say he lacks learning, I would surely call him learned."
The explanation says that lessons in human relationships mean more than in literary learning and I would agree with that

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One puzzling quote is: 5.12 "Zigong said, 'I do not wish others to impose what is unreasonable on me, and I do not wish to impose what is unreasonable on others.' 'The Master said, 'Si [Zigong], this is not something that is within you power.'"
This quote is puzzling because there are two ways of interpreting his remarks based on how it's translated. He was either saying Zigong wasn't at a point where he could consciously refrain from intruding on others or that it might be unavoidable.

One important quote is: 5.6 "The Master encouraged Qidiao Kai to take office. Qidiao Kai replied, 'I am not confident I am ready to take this step.' The Master was pleased."
This is important because it shows that even if others are encouraging you to do something, it is important that you reflect and decide for yourself if you really are. You cannot let others push you into doing something you are not ready for.

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One puzzling quote is: 6.18 "Confucius said, 'If the native material outweighs refinement, you have a rustic [ye]. If refinement outweighs the native material, you have a scribe [shi]. Where there is a right balance of native material and refinement, you have a gentleman [junzi].'"
This quote is puzzling because I'm really confused how ye and shi eventually become one as junzi. The way it's all worded in this quote is a bit complicated.

One pertinent quote is: 8.13 "The Master said, 'Have unshakable trust in [the moral path you pursue]. Love learning. Hold on to the way of the good until you die. Do not enter a state threatened with danger. Do not reside in a state embroiled in conflict. Show yourself when the moral way is evident. Seek reclusion when it is not. When the moral way prevails in a state, being poor and lowly is a cause for shame. When the moral way does not prevail in the world, having wealth and position is a cause for shame.'"
This quote is important because it feels relatable to people who feel doubt and anxiety in terms of what of they want to pursue in their future. It points out a lot how you should push through the struggle and not be scared. As much as possible, stay confident and positive till the very end.

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One puzzling quote is: 5.3 "The Master said of Zijian: "A gentleman, this one! If there were no gentlemen in Lu, how could he have acquired [his strengths and character]?"
This quote is confusing because there are two definitions Confucius could have for gentleman. One definition emphasizes Zijian's moral character and the other put emphasis on his connection of community. But this is confusing as it questions the gentleman in Lu.

One important quote is: "The Master said, 'A gentleman does not try to stuff himself when he eats and is not worried about the comfort of his dwelling. He is anxious about getting things done and careful about what he says. He gravitates toward those who possess moral integrity because he wants to put himself right. One could say someone who loves learning."
This quote is important because it gives a brief outline of a gentleman and mentions how there should be the goal of integrity. Integrity is what people should strive for as it puts them in a better place. Also, one's circumstances of life should not affect their integrity due to a drive of good and learning, admirable goals.

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One puzzling quote is: 7.34
The Master said, "I dare not call myself a sage or a humane man. What could be said of me is that I work toward it without ever feeling sated and I am never tired of teaching." Gongxi Hua remarked "It is precisely in this that we, your disciples, are unable to emulate you."
I find this quote confusing because if he believed that nobody could be like him, then why would he bother to teach? He seems to think of himself as a god, as far as learning.

One important quote is: 6.29
The master said, "Attaining a balance all the time in practical matters and in everyday life- is this virtue not the best? For so long now, it has been rare to find it among the common people."
I think this quotes is important because it talks about something that everyone seems to struggle with- time management. Even to this day, what he said is still true.

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One Puzzling Quote: 1.11 "The Master said, 'If for three years you refrained from altering your father's ways, you can be called filial." That quote seems puzzling for me because I don't know what the word filial means to me and how a son from Asia can be reflective of his father.

One Pertinent Quote: 1.13 "Master You said, 'Trustworthiness comes close to rightness because your words can be counted on. Respectfulness comes close to ritual propriety because it allows you to stay clear of shame and disgrace." This quote is important in today's society because if you show respect and dignity towards others, people in general will think more highly about you. Furthermore, Youzi claims that trustworthiness and respectfulness among humans are harder to attain which it could possibly be true in today's society.

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One Puzzling Quote: 6.26 "The master said, "The gentleman broadens his learning in literature and holds himself back with the practice of the rites. And so he is able not to go beyond the bounds of the moral way."" I found this quote puzzling, because I do not understand how learning can make you immoral.

One Pertinent Quote: 1.16 "The Master said 'Do not worry that other people do not know you. But be concerned that you do not know them.'" This quote is important because humans tend to judge what they do not understand instead of trying to understand them. In the context of this class historically when people meet others of another culture instead of trying to understand that culture they put up barriers because it is not like their own culture and get upset when they do not do things how they are used to.

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One puzzling quote is: 1.7
because Zixia talks about comparing the appreciation of moral worth and physical beauty, which I see as two very different characteristics and would never think of comparing them to each other. The two characteristics are not on the 'same level' of caparison for me and that is why it is so puzzling for me.
One important quote is: 8.7
because Master Zeng addresses how important it is to aspire to learn and keep pursuing knowledge. He also says how the road is long and takes a lot of heavy work in order to learn as much as one can. I think it is also important because he mentions how one will only stop learning when he/she dies. Learning is a constant process and I think that is very important.

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One puzzling quote is: 3.5 "The Master said, 'The Yi and Di tribes with their rulers are not like the Chinese states, which have none."
This quote is puzzling because no one really knows if Confucius was belittling the Yi and Di or the Chinese states. And from there the actual meaning behind the statement is confusing.

One important quote is: 4.7 "The Master said, 'The mistakes people make reflect on the type of person each one is. Observe their mistakes, and you will know their character."
I think that this quote is important because it shows how you really get to know someone. You cannot learn anything if a person acts perfect all day, but when they make a mistake you can see who they truly are.

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I'm going to pretend my topic is filial piety.

One puzzling quote is:
2.20.  Ji Kangzi asked, "How can I get the common people to be respectful, to do their best, and to encourage each other to strive forward?" The Master said, "Oversee the people with dignity, and the people will be respectful. Honor the elderly, cherish the young, and the people will do their best. Acknowledge the good, teach the incompetent, and the people will encourage each other to strive forward."

The imagining of society as the family writ large is perhaps foreign to those of use raised in a democracy rather than a heirarchically structured society.  What seems to be particularly important here is the emphasis on reciprocal responsibility in all social relationships. Rulers must cherish the people as well as instruct them, for example.

On pertinent quote is:
4.18.  The Master said, "In serving your parents, be gentle when trying to dissuade them from wrongdoing. If you see that they are not inclined to heed your advice, remain reverent. Do not openly challenge them. Do not be resentful even when they wear you out and make you anxious.

This quotation appears to fall into the category of timeless advice, but would probably have been profoundly rejected by say, the  youth protesters in the 1960s impatient with 'old fogies'.  As someone currently living in a multigenerational house, this can be tough advice to follow. What if your parent is a bad emperor, for example? Or a crooked official?