Lun Yu – Les Entretiens de Confucius

Tcheou koung1, instruisant le prince de Lou2, lui dit : « Un prince ne néglige pas ceux qui lui sont unis par le sang. Il a soin que les grands officiers ne puissent pas se plaindre de n'être pas employés3. À moins d'une raison grave, il ne rejette pas ceux qui ont servi l'État de génération en génération. Il n'exige pas qu'un homme possède à lui seul tous les talents et toutes les qualités. »

Couvreur XVIII.10.

Instructions of Châu-kung to his son about government; a generous consideration of others to be cherished.
The duke of Châu addressed his son, the duke of Lû, saying, "The virtuous prince does not neglect his relations. He does not cause the great ministers to repine at his not employing them. Without some great cause, he does not dismiss from their offices the members of old families. He does not seek in one man talents for every employment."

Legge XVIII.10.

The Duke of Chou said to the Duke of Lu, 'The gentleman does not treat those closely related to him casually, nor does he give his high officials occasion to complain because their advice was not heeded. Unless there are grave reasons, he does not abandon officials of long standing. He does not look for all-round perfection in a single person.'

Lau [18:10]