A. Virtues toward others

1. Faithful, trustworthy: 1:4, 1:8

2. Virtues of jen: serious, generous, sincere, diligent, and kind

3. Reciprocity (altruism, likening-to-others: the Silver Rule): What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others: 12:2, 15:24

4. Repay kindness with kindness, injury with justice: 14:34.

B. Virtues toward family, friends

1. Filial piety: obedience, reverence, service to parents and elders

2. Fraternal submission: service, truthworthiness to equals

3. These obligations override others: 13:18

4. These virtues are the root of jen: 1:2.

C. Virtues of Self

(Knowledge--> Virtuous thought --> Virtuous feelings --> Virtuous action)

1. Knowledge

a. love learning

b. know "way" (tao): 15.29, 1.14, 1.15, 11.12 (try to understand life, not death).

2. Thought

a. sincere

b. humble

3. Feeling (love virtue: love way, delight in way)

4. Action

a. careful, slow in speech

b. mild, at ease, composed, warm, satisfied

c. earnest, respectful, dignified, majestic

d. not partisan, not small-minded, not concerned with gain; follows what is right

For example, a generous person gives to others the right amount, in the right circumstances, to the right person, and for the right reason

Question for reflection: Are there character traits, such as murderousness or even irritability, that do not fit this schema?  To what extent is the "means between extremes" view adequate to determine appropriateness or an ideal to try to live up to?

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