As Confucius (551 – 479 BC) was traveling through many regions of China, he ran out of food in the Chen and Cai areas. Facing such difficulties, he still sang, played the zither and composed music.
 
His student Zilu said, "Master you still sing even under such circumstances. Is this a requirement of propriety?" Confucius didn't answer him until he finished the song. He said, "Zilu, under such circumstances, a noble person plays music to eliminate his arrogance while a sly person plays music to eliminate his fear. Are you following me without truly knowing me?" Confucius gave him a shield and asked him to dance using it as a prop. After dancing three times, Zilu calmed down.
 
Zigong said, "Master your ideals and principles are at a very high level. That's why it's not easy for ordinary people to accept. Can you lower your standard a little?" Confucius said, "Zigong, a good farmer is good at planting, but this does not guarantee that he will have a good harvest. A good craftsperson can do an excellent job, but not everyone will be pleased with his work. A noble man promotes righteousness and hopes all people will follow the right path to return to the heavenly principles. How can he lower the standard to please worldly people? If you give up your righteous path and instead are only concerned about how to be accepted by everyone, it is because your goal is not far-sighted and high."
 
Yanhui said, "Master your path achieves a very high level. That's why it's not easy for ordinary people to accept. Despite this, you still try your best to promote the most righteous path and save people with compassion and virtue. Although you encounter difficulties and some people can't accept you due to their jealousy, it doesn't affect your way. This is precisely why the righteous path is precious. Only a noble man can remain unmoved under all circumstances. It is our shame if we don't cultivate along a righteous path. It is their shame if we promote a righteous path and people don't accept it." Confucius said approvingly, "It is marvelous that you have such insight."
 
At that moment, the breeze brought the fragrance of flowers. Confucius followed the fragrance and found a field of orchids in a deep valley. They were beautiful and elegant. They grow here unknown to anyone, but their fragrance still overflows. Confucius said to his students, "The orchids live in a deep valley. They don't stop spreading their fragrance just because no one notices. They don't change their nature under any circumstances. They are righteous, strong and pure like real noble people. They are truly noble!" He then wrote an article "Praising the Orchid" and composed accompanying music. His students were all encouraged and inspired. Confucius continued, "The principle of welcoming adversity is like the process of going from the cold winter to the warm spring. Only a person with virtue can understand this. Others cannot comprehend it." Zigong asked, "Why can't some people understand it?" Confucius said, "People who don't have goals are short-sighted. They don't believe in anything that they cannot see with their eyes. However, those who have virtue and noble goals will not be moved by their environment because they have principles in their hearts. Therefore they are far-sighted and wise. Often times they use adversity to their advantage." His students were all encouraged, and the next day their problem was solved.
 
Confucius persistently followed his principles throughout his life. He promoted "Follow the heavenly principles and righteous ways, and govern with compassion," "Try your best and follow God's will." A noble man has determination and firmly believes in what he does. Noble men have noble goals and dare to safeguard the truth, take social responsibility, and have a mission. They will awaken many people with their compassion.
 
君子明道怀远
 
孔子周游列国时，在陈、蔡两地之间没有了粮食，面对困境，依然在两根柱子中间唱歌、弹琴、修订音乐。
 
他的学生子路说：“夫子现在还唱歌，难道这也是礼的要求吗？”孔子没有回答他，直到一曲结束后才说：“子路啊，在这种情况下，君子演奏音乐是为了使自己没有骄纵之心，小人演奏音乐则是为了使自己不害怕，你难道是在不了解我的情况下跟随著我吗？”孔子给了他一个盾牌让他跳舞，这样跳了三遍，子路平静下来了。
 
子贡说：“夫子之道达到了非常高的境界，所以不容易被天下人容纳。夫子是不是可以稍微降低一些标准呢？”孔子说：“子贡啊，好农夫擅长种庄稼却不能说必然能得到收获，好工匠能够心灵手巧却不一定顺所有人的爱好。君子能够弘扬道义，是希望天下人能够按照正道原则去做而回归天理，怎么能让道义降低标准而苟合世俗呢？如今你不修你的正道却去考虑怎样被天下所采纳，是因为你的志向不够远大呀。”
 
颜回说：“夫子之道达到了非常高的境界，所以不被有些人容纳。即使如此，夫子尽心尽力去推行，以仁德之心救百姓于水火之中。虽受阻遭嫉，不为一些人所容，对夫子之道有何伤害呢？这可能正是道的珍贵吧！任何环境中能够坚守正道不动摇，这是君子才能做到的。不修养正道，是我们的耻辱；我们传播正道了，却不被一些人采纳，那是他们的耻辱。”孔子高兴的说：“颜回有这样的见识太好了！”
 
这时微风送来了阵阵的清香，孔子循香味而行，在幽谷的深处发现了一片兰花，她们天姿神韵，端庄素雅，生长在这里，不为人所知，不为人所赞，却默默的芳香四溢。孔子对学生们说：“兰花在深谷之中，不以无人而不芳，任何环境中不改变其节，像君子一样清正、坚强和高洁，她们是真正的君子！”然后作《倚兰操》并操琴赞颂，学生们都受到了启发和鼓舞。孔子继续说：“困境所含的道理，就好比是从严寒到温暖，经过严寒之后，温暖的春天就会到来，这些只有贤德的人能够了解，有些人却不能明白。”子贡问：“为甚么有些人不明白呢？”孔子说：“胸无大志的人只看到眼前，对自己没有见到的就不相信。而对于有道德修养和担当大任的人来说，不会被外在环境所左右，因为他们心中有道，所以能高瞻远瞩、智慧深广，把逆境变为顺境。”学生们听了都振奋了精神，第二天就解除了困境。
 
孔子一生无论做甚么事，都是坚持原则、矢志不渝的，他倡导“遵天道，循纲常，行仁政”、“尽人事而听天命”。君子就要坚定自己的信仰，坚守节操，不渝其志。因为君子的理想崇高而远大，敢于承担维护真理和正义的社会责任和使命，以仁爱之心唤起更多人觉醒而归于正道！