At a concert of classical Chinese music, bells are usually rung to start off the overtures, and stone chimes are struck at the close. Why is this done? The clear and resonant tone of the bell can guide the rhythm and sound of the other instruments. The timbre of the stone chimes, by contrast, is far-reaching and able to round up the lingering tones of the other instruments. Starting off the multitude of tones demands wisdom, and rounding them up requires sagely virtue. In the same way, in archery, when one is aiming at a target a hundred paces away, the application of skill is wisdom, and applying the right amount of strength is sagely virtue. Shooting the arrow to the specified distance requires strength, and striking the target demands skill.

Bo Yi, Yi Yin and Liu Xiahui each possessed one characteristic of the sage. They were like different musical instruments, each instrument able to produce wonderful music in its own unique manner. Confucius was one who possessed all the essential virtues of a sage. He was endowed with both wisdom and sagely virtue. He was like the stone chimes that gather up the tones of the different instruments at the end of a concert. From the prelude to the close, the music starts and ends at one's will, flowing pervasively without any obstruction.

When Confucius served as prime minister for the state of Lu (situated in the present-day Shandong province), the state was brought to good order within three months. No one picked up things that had been left lying in the streets. Houses could be left unlocked at night. Everyone harbored a sense of shame (for wrongdoings) and observed propriety . There was absolutely no need for punishment.

The neighboring state of Chi, worried that the state of Lu might soon become powerful, plotted to destroy the state of Lu by sending a group of female musicians to the ruler of Lu. The ruler of Lu was so taken with them that he neglected his governmental duties at court for three days. Confucius, knowing that he could not redress the situation, decided to resign. His disciples urged him to depart quickly from the state of Lu, but Confucius said, "Let's take our time in leaving; that is the way to leave one's native country." On another occasion when Confucius had to leave the state of Chi, he didn't even wait till the rice was cooked, but scooped it up uncooked and left hastily. He knew that a gentleman could not allow his reputation to be tarnished by staying in a chaotic area.

Confucius traveled to many states, taking it upon himself to bring peace to the country; he hoped to find a ruler who would put his political ideals into practice. It didn't matter to him which state he served or where he lived. Using his wonderful contemplative wisdom, he adapted to situations and the people he encountered. He didn't succumb to the bigger states or the powerful ministers. Nor did he allow the chaotic times to affect his kindness, compassion, or righteousness. He naturally accorded with the circumstances; his ability to do the right thing at the right time was exemplary. We have spoken of his conduct and aspirations. The following story says something about his personality.

Once, there was a very thrifty person in the state of Chi, who cooked some wild vegetables. Thinking them to be very delicious, he put the vegetables in a crude clay pot, and offered them to Confucius. Confucius gladly and respectfully accepted the offering, just as if he were receiving an offering during the grand ceremonies. Zilu thought this strange. So Confucius told him, "I have heard that loyal ministers are always mindful of the sovereign and the ruler. When filial sons eat, they are mindful of their parents. I was glad, because I was treated like someone who is dear to him." From this incident, we know that Confucius was compassionate and tolerant. He was very humble and got along with people easily.

Confucius was also fond of singing. On his journeys, if he happened to come across pleasant songs, he would certainly turn back and ask to be taught them. He would even sing along and dance with the country folks. Yet his behavior was very pure and unaffected. If he had attended a funeral and wept, he would not sing on that day. From this we know that Confucius was cautious and abided by propriety. And if one were to discuss his extensive erudition, one wouldn't be able to recount all the fascinating stories.

Confucius was an outstanding educator as well; there is no one who can compare with him. Confucius was the first to start educating the common people. Without his efforts in teaching people without discrimination, we might not have the opportunity of receiving an education today. Because Confucius was so skilled in teaching his three thousand students according to their needs and abilities, his teaching has endured for many generations. Seventy-two of his students became sages of their times. Confucius was indeed a great pioneer in education.

Zixia once asked Confucius, "Teacher, what do you think of Yanhui?" "He is more honest than I am," replied Confucius. "What about Zigong, then?" asked Zixia "He is more intelligent than I am." "How about Zilu?" "He is more courageous than I am." Zixia continued, "And Zizhang?" " He is more refined than I am." Zixia thought this strange and asked, "If that is the case, then why do the four of them still bow to you as their teacher?"

Confucius said seriously, "I'll tell you why: Although Yanhui is very honest, he does not know that sometimes not fulfilling improper promises is true honesty. Zigong is definitely intelligent, but he doesn't know that at times one has to act as if one weren't so learned, and that is true wisdom. Zilu is very brave, but he doesn't know that sometimes being fearful is true courage. Zizhang is very refined, but he doesn't know that a true gentleman can get along well with ordinary people and live together with the common lot. That is why, even if one added up the good points of the four of them, and wished to exchange them with those of mine, I wouldn't agree to it. That is why I am the teacher, and they are the disciples."

Confucius lived up to his own description of the sage: "The sage is as lofty as the heavens, and as vast as the earth. At the same time, the sage can be likened to Nature with its limitless changes. His wisdom is as bright and clear as the sun and the moon, and yet does not cast any shadows. He contemplates and comprehends the basic principles of all phenomena. His disposition is comparable to the heavens and the earth, which produce and nurture the myriad things; this cycle is continuous and never-ending, yet it leaves no marks."

Ordinary people do not fathom the deeds of a sage, nor do they know of his virtuous conduct. In the same way, they do not understand the cycle of the four seasons. It is not surprising that at that time there were many people who thought that Zigong, with his illustrious personality, was superior to his teacher. Zigong could only sigh, "Whoever says this really doesn't know how lofty the heavens are, and how solid the earth is. My teacher is like the sun and the moon, which cannot be reached. People who do not admire my teacher are like someone who hides himself from the sunshine and the moonlight. Such an act does not affect the sun and the moon in any way."