Tzu-Xi asked the Teacher:
- What kind of person is Yen-Yu?
- In his kindness he is better than me.
- And Tzu-Kun?
- In terms of eloquence, he is better than me.
- Tzu-Lu?
- In terms of courage, he is better than me.
- Tzu-Chan?
- He is better than me in dignity.
Tzu-Xi rose from his mat and asked:
“Then why do these four serve you?”
- Sit down and I'll tell you. Yen-Yu is kind, but he cannot restrain an impulse when it does not lead to good. Tzu-Kung is eloquent, but cannot hold his tongue. Tzu-Lu is brave, but he cannot be careful. Tzu-Chan carries himself with dignity, but cannot shed his stiffness in company. Even if I could put the virtues of these four people together, I would not want to exchange them for my own. That's why they serve me with a pure heart.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru