子曰、君子不重、則不威、學則不固。主忠信。無友不如己者。過則勿憚改。

The Master said, ‘If the scholar be not prudent, he will not build authority, and his learning will not be solid. Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Treat friends as if they are yourself. When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.’

-> A learnt man is prudent, treat every speech he said seriously.  By fulfilling one’s word, one build authority, and credibility.  In handling relationships, it is helpful to be loyal and trustworthy, and treat others as oneself.  In handing mistakes, have courage to admit and correct.

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Discussion:

This chapter consists of three components.  First calls for being prudent in one’s word and one’s life.  This is similar to Buddhist’s teaching of mindfulness in one’s action, words, and thoughts.

Second calls for loyalty to oneself and others.  When we are loyal, we hold good will, and offer others what we would offer to ourself.  This is the meaning of treating others as oneself.

Third calls for proper ways of facing errors.  We all commit mistakes, sometimes we blame others, but a more effective way is to admit mistakes, and not commit again.  When mistake occurs, face it, take responsibility, forgive, and don’t commit it again.  This is acceptable in all three traditions.