7.1. Master Kong said, “I transmit but do not create. I believe in and love the ancients. I venture to compare myself with our Old Peng.”

子曰：「述而不作，信而好古，竊比於我老彭。」

7.2. Master Kong said, “To remember silently, to learn untiringly, and to teach others without being wearied—which of these may be found in me?”

子曰：「默而識之，學而不厭，誨人不倦，何有於我哉？」

7.6. Master Kong said, “Set your purpose on the Way. Have a firm grasp on virtue. Rely on humanity. Seek recreation in the arts.”

子曰：「志於道，據於德，依於仁，游於藝。」

7.7. Master Kong said, “From those who have brought a bundle of dried meat and upward, I have never failed to instruct them.”

子曰：「自行束脩以上，吾未嘗無誨焉。」

7.8. Master Kong said, “I do not enlighten one who is not eager to understand, nor draw out one who is not anxious to speak. If I have presented one corner and he does not come back with the other three, I do not go over it again.”

子曰：「不憤不啟，不悱不發。舉一隅不以三隅反，則不復也。」

7.15. Master Kong said, “With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and with a bent arm for a pillow, there is still joy amid these circumstances. Wealth and honor that are not rightfully gained are but floating clouds to me.”

子曰：「飯疏食飲水，曲肱而枕之，樂亦在其中矣。不義而富且貴，於我如浮雲。」

7.16. Master Kong said, “Grant me a few more years to complete my study of the Book of Changes, and I may then be free of great mistakes.”

子曰：「加我數年，五十以學易，可以無大過矣。」

7.17. The things of which the Master often spoke were the Odes, the History, and holding fast to the rites. Of all these he often spoke.

子所雅言：詩、書、執禮，皆雅言也。

7.18. The Duke of She asked Zilu about Master Kong, and Zilu did not answer. Master Kong said, “Why did you not say that he is simply a man who in his eager pursuit forgets his food, who in his joy forgets his worries, and who is not aware that old age is coming on?”

葉公問孔子於子路，子路不對。子曰：「女奚不曰，其為人也，發憤忘食，樂以忘憂，不知老之將至云爾。」

7.19. Master Kong said, “I am not one who was born with knowledge; I am one who loves antiquity, and is earnest in seeking it there.”

子曰：「我非生而知之者，好古，敏以求之者也。」

7.20. The Master did not discuss strange phenomena, feats of strength, disorder, or spiritual beings.

子不語：怪、力、亂、神。

7.22. Master Kong said, “Heaven produced the virtue in me. What can Huan Tui do to me?”

子曰：「天生德於予，桓魋其如予何？」

7.24. The Master taught four things: culture, conduct, loyalty, and trustworthiness.

子以四教：文、行、忠、信。

7.26. The Master fished with a line but did not use a net. When shooting with a corded arrow, he did not shoot at roosting birds.

子釣而不綱，弋不射宿。

7.27. Master Kong said, “There may be those who act without knowing, but I am not one of them. To hear much and select what is good and follow it, to see much and remember it—this ranks next to knowing.”

子曰：「蓋有不知而作之者，我無是也。多聞擇其善者而從之，多見而識之，知之次也。」

7.29. Master Kong said, “Is humanity so far away? The moment I want humanity, then humanity is here.”

子曰：「仁遠乎哉？我欲仁，斯仁至矣。」

7.34. The Master was very ill, and Zilu asked leave to pray for him. The Master said, “Is there such a thing?” Zilu replied, “There is. A Eulogy reads, ‘We pray for you to the spirits above and below.’” The Master said, “My prayer has been for a long time.”

子疾病，子路請禱。子曰：「有諸？」子路對曰：「有之。誄曰：『禱爾于上下神祇。』」子曰：「丘之禱久矣。」

7.37. The Master was warm yet stern, awe-inspiring yet not fierce, respectful yet at ease.

子溫而厲，威而不猛，恭而安。