Zilu asked about governance, and Confucius said, "Lead them, work with them." When asked for more, he said, "Do not grow weary."
Zhonggong served as steward for the Ji family and asked about governance. Confucius said, "Prioritize the officials, pardon minor faults, and promote the worthy." He asked, "How do we recognize the worthy?" Confucius replied, "Promote those you know. As for those you don't know, would others not recommend them?"
Zilu said, "The Duke of Wei awaits your counsel for governance. What will you prioritize?" Confucius said, "It must be the rectification of names!" Zilu said, "Is this not overly meticulous? Why rectify?" Confucius replied, "Oh, how uncultivated you are, You! A gentleman refrains from speaking on matters he does not understand. If names are not correct, language will not be in accordance; if language is not in accordance, affairs cannot be accomplished; if affairs cannot be accomplished, propriety and music will not flourish; if propriety and music do not flourish, punishments will not be just; if punishments are not just, the people will have nowhere to place their hands and feet. Therefore, a gentleman ensures that his words can be spoken, and what is spoken can be acted upon. A gentleman is not careless with his words."
Fan Chi asked to learn farming, and Confucius said, "I am not as good as an old farmer." He asked to learn gardening, and Confucius said, "I am not as good as an old gardener." After Fan Chi left, Confucius said, "How petty Fan Xu is! If the ruler loves propriety, the people will not dare to be disrespectful; if the ruler loves righteousness, the people will not dare to be disobedient; if the ruler loves trustworthiness, the people will not dare to be insincere. If this is the case, people from all around will come carrying their children. Why bother with farming?"
Confucius said, "If one can recite the three hundred poems, but when given governance cannot apply them, or when sent to the four corners cannot respond independently, what use is there in having learned so much?"
Confucius said, "If one's conduct is upright, orders need not be given for actions to follow; if one's conduct is not upright, even if orders are given, they will not be obeyed."
Confucius said, "The governance of Lu and Wei are like brothers."
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