Goodness (仁)
The highest quality of character in the Analects: a person at his best in dealing with others. No single English word fits.
Sayings on learning, friends and family
Confucius and his followers, Analects (Lunyu), in the Chinese text of James Legge, The Chinese Classics, vol. 1 (Oxford, 1893) · about 400 BCE (sayings of Confucius, who died in 479 BCE, collected after his death)
子曰、弟子、入則孝、出則弟、謹而信、汎愛眾、而親仁、行有餘力、則以學文。
The Master said: Young people should show filial duty at home and respect for elders outside it, be careful and trustworthy, love people widely and keep close to the good. If they have strength left over, let them spend it on culture.
子曰、里仁為美、擇不處仁、焉得知。
The Master said: It is fine to live where goodness is. If you choose a home without goodness, how can you call yourself wise?
子曰、志於道。據於德。依於仁。游於藝。
The Master said: Set your heart on the Way. Rely on virtue. Lean on goodness. Move freely among the arts.
子貢問為仁。子曰、工欲善其事、必先利其器、居是邦也、事其大夫之賢者、友其士之仁者。
Zigong asked how to practice goodness. The Master said: A craftsman who wants his work to go well must first sharpen his tools. When you live in a state, serve the worthiest of its high officials and befriend the good among its scholars.