Lun Yu – The Analects of Confucius

The paucity of true men in, and the pretentiousness of, Confucius's time.
1. The Master said, "A sage it is not mine to see; could I see a man of real talent and virtue, that would satisfy me."
2. The Master said, "A good man it is not mine to see; could I see a man possessed of constancy, that would satisfy me.
3. "Having not and yet affecting to have, empty and yet affecting to be full, straitened and yet affecting to be at ease:– it is difficult with such characteristics to have constancy."

Legge VII.25.

The Master said, 'I have no hopes of meeting a sage. I would be content if I met someone who is a gentleman.'
The Master said, 'I have no hopes of meeting a good man. I would be content if I-met someone who has constancy. It is hard for a man to have constancy who claims to have when he is wanting, to be full when he is empty and to be comfortable when he is in straitened circumstances.'

Lau [7:26]

Le Maître dit : « Il ne m'a pas été donné de voir un homme saint ; si je voyais seulement un sage, j'en serais assez content. Il ne m'a pas été donné de voir un homme bon ; si je voyais seulement un homme constant, j'en serais assez content. Celui-là ne peut pas être constant qui n'a rien et feint d'avoir quelque chose, qui est vide et cherche à paraître plein, qui possède peu de chose et veut étaler une grande magnificence. »

Couvreur VII.25.