The Rules of the Gentleman

[artificer]

It's not Confucius, but I suppose "gentleman" could be substituted in to this; hope it's all right to quote.

1. The skilful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels or footsteps; the skilful speaker says nothing that can be found fault with or blamed; the skilful reckoner uses no tallies; the skilful closer needs no bolts or bars, while to open what he has shut will be impossible; the skilful binder uses no strings or knots, while to unloose what he has bound will be impossible. In the same way the sage is always skilful at saving men, and so he does not cast away any man; he is always skilful at saving things, and so he does not cast away anything. This is called 'Hiding the light of his procedure.'

2. Therefore the man of skill is a master (to be looked up to) by him who has not the skill; and he who has not the skill is the helper of (the reputation of) him who has the skill. If the one did not honour his master, and the other did not rejoice in his helper, an (observer), though intelligent, might greatly err about them. This is called 'The utmost degree of mystery.' (ch. 27)

I'm quoting from the old James Legge translation of Lao-Tze's The Tao Teh King (Project Gutenberg EBook #216).

Indeed it is an old version, but still true to the original meaning (and close to my heart). Thank you Ted. I do love my Classical Taoists. ith:

A Gentleman...


Knows that Honor is a two edged sword and the sharper edge is always the one facing him

Deals in hard knocks and careful courtesy, nothing in between

Knows that poise is in the art of raising the eyebrow and not the roof

Knows all the rules of polite society and knows when they should be followed religiously and when they need to be set aside out of neccessity.

Treats all with respect and expects to be treated with respect by all

Can ride, dance, sing, fence, and shoot

Knows how to enjoy a fine vintage wine in august company as well as lemonade from a child's sidewalk stand

Knows how to dress well and knows that clothes can reflect the man, but most importantly knows that they certainly do not make the man

Is polite and well spoken

Knows how to trust and is trustworthy

Offers insult very rarely and never accidentally

Is kind to animals and careful with machinery

Is quick to sincerely apologize when at fault

Is the one who will always stand for their turn at the wheel, and more if needed

When the subject of Service comes up they think first of their obligations to serve instead of other's obligations to serve them

Keeps calm and always can be counted to carry on


Cheers

Jamie

You, sir, continue to score points in my "must buy a drink for" list. (along with Ted on his last post). Being a Chap and a Gent is at least as much a duty as it is a "perk".