I have mentioned these several times over the life of this blog but I don't think I have ever referenced them specifically.  Let me do so here.

Adept Kung said: "When the Master talks about civility and cultivation, you can hear what he says.  But when he talks about the nature of things and the Way of Heaven you can't hear a word." (5.12)

The Master never spoke of the supernatural, violence, disorder, or gods and spirits. (7.21)

The Master rarely spoke of profit or destiny or Humanity. (9.1)

    That last one, 9.1, is obviously problematic.  Confucius speaks of Humanity numerous times in the Analects.  Perhaps this means that he only raised it when asked, or he did not talk about it all that much, letting his actions speak instead.

    But generally these "silences" support the idea that Confucius was more concerned with the here-and-now than with abstract questions of metaphysics and fate.  It's almost a Taoist sensibility of being in the moment…but don't say that to a Confucian…..