Chapter 14

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第十四章: 君子素其位而行 君子素其位而行，不愿乎其外。素富貴，行乎富貴；素貧賤，行乎貧賤；素夷狄，行乎夷狄；素患難，行乎患難：君子無入而不自得焉。在上位不陵下，在下位不援上，正己而不求於人，則無怨。上不怨天，下不尤人。故君子居易以俟命，小人行險以徼幸。” 子曰：“射有似乎君子，失諸正鵠，反求諸其身"

The Virtuous acts accordingly to the position in which one is in and does not seek an irrational attempt to go beyond the position.

In a position of wealth and honor, one does what is proper in a position of wealth and honor. In a position of poor and common, one does what is proper in a position of poor and common. Situated among barbarous tribes, one does what is proper in a situation among barbarous tribes. In a position of sorrow and difficulty, one does what is proper in a position of sorrow and difficulty; therefore, in any position the Virtuous is not influenced by the situation and still finds joys.

One with power does not degrade the subordinates and the subordinates do not court the favor of the superiors. One rectifies oneself and seeks nothing from others so that no dissatisfaction occurs. One does not murmur against Heaven, nor grumble against men.

Thus the Virtuous is quiet and calm, waiting for the appointments of Heaven, while the barbarous walks in dangerous paths, looking for lucky occurrences.

Confucius said, "In archery we have something like the way of the Virtuous. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself."