...through the gradual cultivation of one's talents, seems to point to the first article of the Analects: "The Master said, At fifteen I set my heart upon learning....forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities. At 233 fifty, I knew what were the biddings of Heaven. At sixty, I heard them with a docile ear. At seventy,...

...manner of living? Confucius' autobiographical sketch indicates something of his steps along the way. At fifteen I set my heart upon learning. At thirty, I had planted my feet firmly upon the ground. At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities. At fifty, I knew what were...

...model for Confucians, sets an example: At fifteen my heart was set on learning. At thirty I had stood my feet firm upon the ground. At forty I no longer suffered from perplexities. At fifty I knew the Mandate of Heaven. At sixty I was at ease with whatever I heard. At seventy I could follow my heart's...

...and responsible to and for others.14 Let us consider each of these loci of responsibility separately. The Master said, "At fifteen, I set my heart upon learning. At thirty, I was established. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the dictates of Heaven. At sixty, I heard...

...should remove his own impurities as a smith removes the dross from silver" (Buddhism. Dhammapada 239). The Master said, "At fifteen I set my heart upon learning. At thirty, I had planted my feet upon firm ground. At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities. At fifty, I know what were the...