The final three readings for your inspiration from the Taoist/Confucian Garden of Faith might be titled "Confucius say..."
Confucius is thought to have been alive when Lao Tzu, the sage traditionally credited with composing the Tao Te Ching, was also alive. Some people see these two sages as having very different teachings and attitudes.
Others think they overlap, and can be thought of as complementary. Whatever you think, I hope you find, as I have, that Confucius, like Lao Tzu, has valuable wisdom for us to integrate into our lives.
Here is what Confucius has to say for today:
It is a pleasure to learn something valuable, and then to apply it.
It is a joy to welcome friends who have come from afar, and learn from them.
It is virtuous not to take offense when others fail to appreciate your abilities.
Every day I ask myself three questions.
Have I served others to the best of my abilities?
Have all my words been honest and trustworthy?
Have I given advice to others that I do not practice myself?
If you study, and reflect on what you have studied, your mind will be flexible.
You should be content, whether or not you have a full belly or a comfortable home.
You should be quick in action, but cautious in speech.
You should seek the advice of those who follow the Way.
If you are poor, do not flatter the rich.
If you are rich, do not despise and ignore the poor.
Virtue may be compared with the pole star, which commands the homage of the other stars
without every moving from its place.
At fifteen I set my heart on learning.
At thirty I could discern the nature of virtue.
At forty I was free from doubts.
At fifty I understood destiny.
At sixty my ear was attuned to the harmony of all life.
At seventy I was free from all evil desires,
so I no longer needed to control myself.
My response:
May I apply the valuable things I learn, so that I may live with integrity.
May I be slow to take offense, and quick to appreciate.
May I speak with loving honesty, and be trustworthy at all times.
May I practice what I advise others to do.
May I serve others as well as I can.
May my mind be always flexible, open, and quick to understand true wisdom.
May I seek out those who are wise and good as my friends.
May virtue characterize my life.
May I age wisely and well, that I may live more and more attuned to the harmony of Life.
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