Advise a Friend, Then Stop

Zigong asked about friends. Confucius said: “Advise them faithfully and guide them well. If it does not work, stop. Do not bring disgrace on oneself.” (忠告而善道之,不可则止,毋自辱焉) An old commentary explains the last part: if one insists on speaking, one may be humiliated. The passage is in the Analects.

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