Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
toppage
TheAnalectsofConfucius
TranslatedbyA.CharlesMuller
TableofContents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Firsttranslatedduringthesummerof1990.Revised20130606
Whenciting,pleaserefertotheURLofthispage:http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html
1.
[1-1]
[1:1]TheMastersaid:Isn'titapleasuretostudyandpracticewhatyouhavelearned?Isn'titalsogreat
whenfriendsvisitfromdistantplaces?Ifpeopledonotrecognizemeanditdoesn'tbotherme,amInota
nobleman?
[Comment]NoblemanisanEnglishtranslationfortheChinesetermjunzi,whichoriginallymeant
sonofaprincethus,someonefromthenobility.IntheAnalects,Confuciusimbuesthetermwitha
specialmeaning.Thoughsometimesusedstrictlyinitsoriginalsense,italsoreferstoapersonwhohasmade
significantprogressintheWay(dao)ofselfcultivation,bydevelopingasenseofjustice,byloving
treatmentofparents,respectforelders,honestywithfriends,etc.Thoughthejunziisahighly
advancedhumanbeing,heisstilldistinguishedfromthecategoryofsage(shengren),whois,inthe
Analectsmoreofadivinebeing,usuallyamodelfromgreatantiquity.
Thecharacterofthenobleman,incontrasttothesage,isbeingtaughtasatangiblemodelforallinthehere
andnow.Andalthoughmanydescriptionsoftherequirementsforjunzistatusseemquiteoutofourreach,
therearemanypassageswhereConfuciuslabelsacontemporary,oroneofhisdisciplesanobleman,
intendingacomplement.Thus,thecategorizationisnotsorigid.Onemightwanttocomparethetermnoble
mantotheBuddhistbodhisattva,inthatbotharethemodelsforthetradition,bothindicateaveryhighstage
ofhumandevelopmentastechnicalterms,yetbothmaybeusedcolloquiallytorefertoareallygood
person.
[1-2]
[1:2]YouZisaid:Therearefewwhohavedevelopedthemselvesfiliallyandfraternallywhoenjoy
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 1/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
offendingtheirsuperiors.Thosewhodonotenjoyoffendingsuperiorsarenevertroublemakers.Thenoble
manconcernshimselfwiththefundamentals.Oncethefundamentalsareestablished,theproperway
appears.Arenotfilialpietyandobediencetoeldersfundamentaltotheactualizationoffundamentalhuman
goodness?
[Comment]ThewordrenisperhapsthemostfundamentalconceptinConfucianthought.Ithasbeen
translatedintoEnglishasbenevolence,altruism,goodness,humanenessetc.Itisadifficultconcept
totranslatebecauseitdoesn'treallyrefertoanyspecifictypeofvirtueorpositiveendowment,butrefersto
aninnercapacitypossessedbyallhumanbeingstodogood,ashumanbeingsshould.Itisthequalitythat
makeshumanshuman,andnotanimals.InearlieriterationsofthistranslationIhavegonethroughvarious
transitions:atfirstIattemptedtouseaunifiedEnglishrenderingthroughoutthetext.Ithenpursueda
strategyofleavinguntranslated,asren.NowIampresentlyleaninginthedirectionoftranslatingtheterm
variously,accordingtothecontext,butatpresent,remnantsofallthreestrategiesremaininthetext.Iintend
toeventuallysortthisout.
IntheChineseessencefunctionparadigm,rencanbeunderstoodastheinnate,unmanifestsourceof
allkindsofmanifestationsofvirtuosity:wisdom,filialpiety,reverence,courtesy,love,sincerity,etc.,allof
whichareaspects,orfunctionsofren.Throughone'seffortsatpracticingatthefunctionofren,onemay
enhanceanddevelopone'sren,untilonemaybecalledanobleman,orevenbetter,ahumaneperson.
IntheAnalects,tobecalledahumanepersonbytheMasterisanextremelyhighevaluation,rarely
acknowledgedforanyone.
[1-3]
[1:3]TheMastersaid:Someonewhoisacleverspeakerandmaintainsacontrivedsmileisseldom
consideredtobeareallygoodperson.
[1-4]
[1:4]CengZisaid:EachdayIexaminemyselfinthreeways:indoingthingsforothers,haveIbeen
disloyal?Inmyinteractionswithfriends,haveIbeenuntrustworthy?HavenotpracticedwhatIhave
preached?
[1-5]
[1:5]TheMastersaid:Ifyouwouldgovernastateofathousandchariots(asmalltomiddlesizestate),
youmustpaystrictattentiontobusiness,betruetoyourword,beeconomicalinexpenditureandlovethe
people.Youshouldemploythem[appropriately]accordingtotheseasons.
[Comment]Usageofthepeopleaccordingtotheseasonsisextremelyimportantinanagriculturebased
society,whereplanting,cultivating,orharvestingacertaincropduringacertainfewdayperiodcanbe
critical.DuringtheSpringandAutumnandWarringStatesperiodsinChina,selfishandaggressivewarlords
frequentlypulledfarmersofftheirlandatimportantfarmingtimes,tousethemforpublicworksprojects,or
havethemfightintheruler'spersonalwars.
[1-6]
[1:6]TheMastersaid:Ayoungmanshouldservehisparentsathomeandberespectfultoeldersoutside
hishome.Heshouldbeearnestandtruthful,lovingall,butbecomeintimatewithhisinnategood
heartedness.Afterdoingthis,ifhehasenergytospare,hecanstudyliteratureandthearts.
[Comment]Intheabovementionedessencefunctionview,thedevelopmentofone'sproperrelationshipwith
one'sparentsandothersaroundher/himisfundamentalinlife.Onlyafterthesethingsaretakencareofisit
propertogooffandplayatwhateveronelikesevenifthisplayinvolvestheseriousstudyofsomeart
form.
[1-7]
[1:7]ZiXiasaid:Ifyoucantreattheworthyasworthywithoutstrain,exertyourutmostinservingyour
parents,devoteyourwholeselfinservingyourprince,andbehonestinspeechwhendealingwithyour
friends.Ifyoudothisandsomeonesaysyouarenotlearned(xue),Iwouldsaythatyouaredefinitely
learned.
[Comment]IntheConfuciantradition,learning(xue)ismorethanintellectual,academicstudy,orthe
accumulationoffacts(althoughthisaspectisincluded).Itistheprocessofmanifestingone'srenby
developingoneselfinselfreflectionthroughthevarioustypesofhumanrelationships.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 2/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[1-8]
[1:8]TheMastersaid:Ifthenoblemanlacksgravitas,thenhewillnotinspireaweinothers.Ifheisnot
learned,thenhewillnotbeonfirmground.Hetakesloyaltyandgoodfaithtobeofprimaryimportance,
andhasnofriendswhoarenotofequal(moral)caliber.Whenhemakesamistake,hedoesn'thesitateto
correctit.
[Comment]Thenoblemanstillmakesmistakes.Thedifferencebetweenhimandotherpeopleisthathe
rectifieshiserrorsassoonashebecomesawareofthem.
[1-9]
[1:9]CengZisaid:Whentheyarecareful(abouttheirparents)totheendandcontinueinreverenceafter
(theirparents)arelonggone,thevirtueofthepeoplewillreturntoitsnaturaldepth.
[1-10]
[1:10]ZiQinaskedZiGong:Whenourteacher(Confucius)arrivesinanycountry,heinvariablyfindsout
everythingaboutitsgovernment.Doesheseekthisinformation?Orisitgiventohim?
ZiGongsaid,Ourteachergetsitbybeingcordial,upright,courteous,frugal,andhumble.Hiswayofgetting
informationisquitedifferentfromthatofothermen.
[Comment]Confuciandidn'tneedtodigaround,orpresspeopleforinformation.Peoplenaturallyopenedup
tohimduetohiswarmthandhonesty.
[1-11]
[1:11]TheMastersaid:Whenyourfatherisalive,observehiswill.Whenyourfatherisdeadobservehis
formeractions.If,forthreeyearsyoudonotchangefromthewaysofyourfather,youcanbecalledareal
son(xiao).
[Comment]Intermsofthedevelopmentofthecharacterofthehumanbeing,themostfundamentalpractice
isthatoffilialpiety,theEnglishtranslationoftheChinesexiao,whichmeanstolove,respectandtakecare
ofone'sparents.Confuciusbelievedthatifpeoplecultivatedthisinnatetendencywell,allothernaturalforms
ofhumangoodnesswouldbepositivelyaffectedbyit.
[1-12]
[1:12]YouZisaid:Intheactualpracticeofpropriety,flexibilityisimportant.Thisiswhattheancient
kingsdidsowellboththegreaterandthelesserusedflexibility.Yetthereareoccasionswhenthisdoes
notapply:Ifyouunderstandflexibilityanduseit,butdon'tstructureyourselfwithpropriety,thingswon'tgo
well.
[Comment]ProprietyistheEnglishrenditionoftheChineseli.Thisisawordthatalsohasawiderange
ofmeaninginClassicalChinesethought,andisdifficulttotranslateinasingleword.Itsmostbasicmeaning
isthatofritualorceremony,referringtoallsortsofritualsthatpermeatedearlyEastAsiansociety.The
mostsignificantofcourse,wouldbeweddingceremoniesandfunerals.Buttherewerealsovarious
agriculturalrituals,comingofagerituals,coronations,etc.Confuciuswasanexpertontheproperhandling
ofallsortsofrituals.
Thetermlihowever,has,intheAnalects,amuchbroadermeaningthanritual,sinceitcanalsorefertothe
manysmallerritualizedbehaviorpatternsinvolvedindaytodayhumaninteractions.Thiswouldinclude
properspeechandbodylanguageaccordingtostatus,age,sexthus,manners.Inthissense,limeansany
actionproper,orappropriatetothesituation.Forinstance,inthemoderncontext,Imightgoupandslapmy
friendontheback.ButIcertainlywouldn'ttothattomyprofessor,ortoastudentinmyclasswhomIdon't
knowverywell.
IntheAnalects,li,asageneralcategory,isclearlydefinedinarelationshipwithren,whererenistheinner,
substantialgoodnessofthehumanbeing,andliisthefunctioningofreninthemanifestworld.Thatistosay,
liisfairness,filialpiety,fraternalrespect,etc.
[1-13]
[1:13]YouZisaid:Whenyourowntrustworthinessisclosetofairness,yourwordscanbefollowed.When
yourshowofrespectisaccordingtopropriety,youwillbefarfromshameanddisgrace.Ifyouhavegenuine
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 3/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
affectionwithinyourfamily,youcanbecomeanancestor.
[Comment]FairnessisonewayofrenderingoftheChineseyi,whichwealsotranslateinthistextas
Justice,accordingtothecontext.Althoughnotquiteasessentialaconceptasren,itisastrongly
internalizedhumancapacity.Beingattunedtofairnessallowspeopletodotheproperthingintheproper
situation,togiveeachperson,placeandthingitsproperdue.IntheAnalectsandotherConfuciantexts,
hasthespecificconnotationsoffairness,orjusticedeliveredinasituationwhenapersonisinapositionof
powerorauthority.Thus,oneofthegreatestqualitiestobepossessedbyteacher,asupervisor,ajudge,a
companyowner,ortheleaderofanysocialcircleisthatoffairness,orjustice,intreatingthoseoverwhom
heorshehaspowerorinfluence.
[1-14]
[1:14]TheMastersaid:Whenthenoblemaneatshedoesnottrytostuffhimselfatresthedoesnotseek
perfectcomfortheisdiligentinhisworkandcarefulinspeech.HeavailshimselftopeopleoftheWayand
therebycorrectshimself.Thisisthekindofpersonofwhomyoucansay,heloveslearning.
[1-15]
[1:15]ZiGongasked:Whatdoyouthinkofapoormanwhodoesn'tgrovelorarichmanwhoisn't
proud?Confuciussaid,Theyaregood,butnotasgoodasapoormanwhoissatisfiedandarichmanwho
lovespropriety.ZiGongsaid,TheBookofOdes1says:
Likecuttingandfiling,
Grindingandpolishing2
Isthiswhatyouaretalkingabout?Confuciussaid,Ah,nowIcanbegintodiscusstheBookofOdeswithCi.Ispeak
ofvariousthings,andheknowswhatistobebroughtback.3
[1-16]
[1:16]TheMastersaid:IamnotbotheredbythefactthatIamunknown.IambotheredwhenIdonot
knowothers.
2.
[2-1]
[2:1]TheMastersaid:Ifyougovernwiththepowerofyourvirtue,youwillbeliketheNorthStar.Itjust
staysinitsplacewhilealltheotherstarspositionthemselvesaroundit.
[Comment]ThisistheAnalects'firststatementongovernment.ScholarsofChinesethoughthavecommonly
placedgreatemphasisonasupposedradicaldistinctionbetweenConfucianauthoritativegovernmentand
Daoistlaissezfairegovernment.ButnumerousConfucianpassagessuchasthiswhichsuggestofthe
ruler'sgovernancebyamereattunementwithaninnerprincipleofgoodness,withoutunnecessaryexternal
action,quiteliketheDaoistwuweiarefarmorenumerousthanhasbeennoted.Thisisonegoodreasonfor
ustobecarefulwhenmakingthecommonplaceConfucian/Daoistgeneralizationswithoutqualification.
[2-2]
[2:2]TheMastersaid:The300versesoftheBookofOdescanbesummedupinasinglephrase:Don't
thinkinanevilway.
[2-3]
[2:3]TheMastersaid:Ifyougovernthepeoplelegalisticallyandcontrolthembypunishment,theywill
avoidcrime,buthavenopersonalsenseofshame.Ifyougovernthembymeansofvirtueandcontrolthem
withpropriety,theywillgaintheirownsenseofshame,andthuscorrectthemselves.
[2-4]
[2:4]TheMastersaid:AtfifteenmyheartwassetonlearningatthirtyIstoodfirmatfortyIhadnomore
doubtsatfiftyIknewthemandateofheavenatsixtymyearwasobedientatseventyIcouldfollowmy
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 4/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
heart'sdesirewithouttransgressingthenorm.
[2-5]
;
[2:5]MengyiZiaskedaboutthemeaningoffilialpiety.Confuciussaid,Itmeansnotdiverging(fromyour
parents).Later,whenFanChiwasdrivinghim,ConfuciustoldFanChi,Mengsunaskedmeaboutthe
meaningoffilialpiety,andItoldhimnotdiverging.FanChisaid,Whatdidyoumeanbythat?
Confuciussaid,Whenyourparentsarealive,servethemwithproprietywhentheydie,burythemwith
propriety,andthenworshipthemwithpropriety.
[2-6]
[2:6]MengwuBoaskedaboutthemeaningoffilialpiety.Confuciussaid,Themainconcernofyour
parentsisaboutyourhealth.
[Comment]Whenweareseparatedfromourparentsforlongperiodsoftime,wecansettheirmindsatease
bylettingthemknowthatweareingoodhealth.
[2-7]
[2:7]ZiYouaskedaboutthemeaningoffilialpiety.Confuciussaid,Nowadaysfilialpietymeansbeing
abletofeedyourparents.Buteveryonedoesthisforevenhorsesanddogs.Withoutrespect,what'sthe
difference?
[2-8]
[2:8]ZiXiaaskedaboutfilialpiety.Confuciussaid,Whatisimportantistheexpressionyoushowinyour
face.Youshouldnotunderstandfilialtomeanmerelytheyoungdoingphysicaltasksfortheirparents,or
givingthemfoodandwinewhenitisavailable.
[2-9]
[2:9]TheMastersaid:IcantalkwithHuiforawholedaywithouthimdifferingwithmeinanywayas
ifheisstupid.ButwhenheretiresandIobservehispersonalaffairs,itisquiteclearthatheisnotstupid.
[Comment]Hui(YanYuan)wasConfucius'favoritedisciple,whoispraisedinmanypassagesofthe
Analects.Hediedatayoungage,probablyaroundthirty,afactwhichConfuciuslamented.
[2-10]
[2:10]TheMastersaid:Seeaperson'smeans(ofgettingthings).Observehismotives.Examinethatin
whichherests.Howcanapersonconcealhischaracter?Howcanapersonconcealhischaracter?
[Comment]Peoplethinkthattheyaresuccessfullyhidingthedeviousplotsthataregoingonintheirminds.
ButastheDoctrineoftheMeanteaches,Thesincerityontheinsideshowsontheoutside.Whensomeone
isdeceitful,everyoneknowsit.Whensomeoneisgoodandhonest,everyoneknowsit.
[2-11]
[2:11]TheMastersaid:Reviewingwhatyouhavelearnedandlearninganew,youarefittobeateacher.
[2-12]
[2:12]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanisnotautensil.
[Comment]Thenoblemanisnotatechnician,tobeusedbyotherstodoasinglejob.Onanotherlevel,his
mindisnotnarrowlyorientedbyaspecifictask.Thejunzithinksbroadlyanddoesnotlimithimselfquickly
intoacertainworldview,andcannoteasilybeusedasacoginsomeoneelse'smachine.
[2-13]
[2:13]ZiGongaskedaboutthecharacterofthenobleman.Confuciussaid,Firsthepracticeswhathe
preachesandthenhefollowsit.
[2-14]
[2:14]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanisallembracingandnotpartial.Theinferiormanispartialandnot
allembracing.
[2-15]
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 5/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[2:15]TheMastersaid:Tostudyandnotthinkisawaste.Tothinkandnotstudyisdangerous.
[2-16]
[2:16]TheMastersaid:Tothrowoneselfintostrangeteachingsisquitedangerous.
[2-17]
CHINS
[223]
[2:17]TheMastersaid:You,shallIteachyouaboutknowledge?Whatyouknow,youknow,whatyou
don'tknow,youdon'tknow.Thisisknowledge.
[2:23]ZiZhang
askedwhetherthestateofaffairstengenerations
[Comment]Thestageofknowingwhatyouknowandknowingwhatyoudon'tknowisnoteasytoattain.
hencecouldbeknown.Confuciussaid,The
Ithasbeennotedintheteachingsofotherreligioustraditionstobeaveryhighlevelofattainment.
Shang
PORTUGUS
[2-18]
[223]ZiZhangperguntou:X.Confciotambm
visto.Yinporquenoritualdevero,osganhose
perdas,podemosvlo.SemanadevidoaoYinLi,
[2:18]ZiZhangwasstudyingtogetanupgradeinhiscivilservicerank.[Advisinghimaboutself
osganhoseasperdas,conhecidatambm.Aps
semanasdesuaouque,emboraBES,conhecido
improvement,]Confuciussaid,Listenwidelytoremoveyourdoubtsandbecarefulwhenspeakingabout
tambm.[02:23]ZiZhangperguntouseoestado
therestandyourmistakeswillbefew.Seemuchandgetridofwhatisdangerousandbecarefulinactingon
decoisasdezgeraes,portanto,poderiaser
therestandyourcausesforregretwillbefew.Speakingwithoutfault,actingwithoutcausingregret:
conhecido.Confciodisse:"OShang
upgradingconsistsinthis.
OPESDEEXTENSO MAIS
[2-19] ;
[2:19]TheDukeofAiasked:HowcanImakethepeoplefollowme?Confuciusreplied:Advancethe
uprightandsetasidethecrooked,andthepeoplewillfollowyou.Advancethecrookedandsetasidethe
upright,andthepeoplewillnotfollowyou.
[2-20] ; ;
[2:20]JiKangZiasked:HowcanImakethepeoplereverentandloyal,sotheywillworkpositivelyfor
me?Confuciussaid,Approachthemwithdignity,andtheywillbereverent.Befilialandcompassionate
andtheywillbeloyal.Promotetheableandteachtheincompetent,andtheywillworkpositivelyforyou.
[2-21]
[2:21]SomeoneaskedConfucius:Whyareyounotinvolvedingovernment?Confuciussaid,Whatdoes
theBookofHistorysayaboutfilialpiety?Justbybeingagoodsonandfriendlytoonesbrothersandsisters
youcanhaveaneffectongovernment.Sincethisisalsodoinggovernment,whydoIneedtododoing
government?
[2-22] ,
[2:22]TheMastersaid:Ifapersonlackstrustworthiness,Idon'tknowwhats/hecanbegoodfor.Whena
pinismissingfromtheyokebarofalargewagon,orfromthecollarbarofasmallwagon,howcanitgo?
[2-23]
[2:23]ZiZhangaskedwhetherthestateofaffairstengenerationshencecouldbeknown.Confuciussaid,
TheShangbaseditsproprietyonthatoftheYin,andwhatitaddedandsubtractedisknowable.TheZhou
hasbaseditsproprietyonthatoftheShangandwhatitaddedandsubtractedisknowable.Inthisway,what
continuesfromtheZhou,evenif100generationshence,isknowable.
[2-24]
[2:24]TheMastersaid:Toworshiptootherthanone'sownancestralspiritsisflattery.Ifyouseewhatis
rightandfailtoactonit,youlackcourage.
3.
[3-1]
[3:1]Confucius,speakingabouttheheadoftheQifamilysaid,Hehaseightrowsofdancersinhiscourt.If
hedoesthis,whatwillhenotdo?
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 6/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[Comment]Inthispassageandthefollowingone,Confuciusiscomplainingaboutalowerlevelaristocrat
usingceremoniesthatwereofficiallyprescribedformuchhigherlevelnobility.Eightrowsofdancers,was
theamountallowabletoonlythemosteliteofthenobility.TheheadoftheQifamilyisoftencriticizedinthe
Analectsforsimilarimproprieties.
[3-2]
[3:2]TheThreeFamiliesusedtheYongSongsattheclearingofthesacrificialvessels.Confuciussaid,
AttendedonbyLordsandPrinces:
HowmagnificentistheSonofHeaven!
HowcouldthesewordsbeusedinthehallsoftheThreeFamilies?
[3-3]
[3:3]TheMastersaid:Ifamanhasnorenwhatcanhisproprietybelike?Ifamanhasnorenwhatcanhis
musicbelike?
[Comment]Sincerenistheessenceofallpositivehumanattributes,withoutit,howcantheytrulyoperate?
[3-4] ;
[3:4]LinFangaskedaboutthefundamentalsofritual.Confuciussaid,Whatanexcellentquestion!In
ritual,itisbettertobefrugalthanextravagantinfuneralsdeepsorrowisbetterthanease.
[3-5]
[3:5]TheMastersaid:ThetribesoftheEastandNorth(KoreansandMongolians),thoughhavingkings,
arenotequaltoourpeople,evenwhenlackingkings,
[Comment]EitherConfuciusisanoutrightethnicchauvinist,orheispointingtoarealdifferenceinthe
relativelevelofculturaldevelopmentatthattimebetweenthecentralChinesekingdomsandthepeoplesof
theoutlyingregions.
[3-6]
[3:6]TheJifamilywenttomakeasacrificeatMt.Tai.ThemastersaidtoRanYou:Can'tyousavethem
fromthis?Youresponded:Ican't.Themastersaid:Alas!DoesthismeantthatMt.Taiisnottheequal
ofLinFang?4
[3-7]
[3:7]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanhasnothingtocompetefor.Butifhemustcompete,hedoesitinan
archerymatch,whereinheascendstohisposition,bowingindeference.Descending,hedrinkstheritual
cup.Thisisthecompetitionofthenobleman.
[3-8]
[3:8]ZiXiaquotedthefollowing:
Hertactfulsmilecharms
Hereyes,fineandclear,
Beautifulwithoutaccessories.
Andaskeditsmeaning.Confuciussaid,Apaintingisdoneonplainwhitepaper.ZiXiasaid,Thenareritualsa
secondarything?Confuciussaid,Ah,Shang,youupliftme.NowwecanreallybegintodiscusstheBookofOdes.
[Comment]Amongalltheancientclassicalworksavailabletoscholarsofthetime,Confuciusseemstoplace
specialvalueontheBookofOdes,foritsstrengthinmoralteachingsaswellastheintellectualstimulationit
provided.
[3-10]
[3:10]TheMastersaid:AttheGreatSacrifice,afterthepouringofthelibation,Ihavenofurtherdesireto
watch.
[3-11]
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 7/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[3:11]SomeoneaskedforanexplanationoftheGreatSacrifice.Confuciussaid,Idon'tknow.Iftherewere
someonewhoknewthis,hecouldseethewholeworldasifitwerethis:Hepointedtothepalmofhishand.
[3-12]
[3:12]Sacrificingasifpresentmeanssacrificingtothespiritsasiftheywerepresent.Confuciussaid,IfI
donotpersonallyofferthesacrifice,itisthesameasnothavingsacrificedatall.
[3-13] ; ; ;
[3:13]WangSunJiaasked:WhatdoyouthinkaboutthesayingItisbettertosacrificetothegodofthe
stovethantothegodofthefamilyshrine.?Confuciussaid,Notso.IfyouoffendHeaven,thereisnoone
youcanprayto.
[3-14]
[3:14]TheMastersaid:ThepeopleoftheZhouwereabletoobservethepriortwodynastiesandthustheir
cultureflourished.InowfollowtheZhou.
[3-15]
[3:15]WhenConfuciusenteredtheGrandTemple,heaskedabouteverything.Someonesaid,Whosaid
Confuciusisamasterofritual?HeenterstheGrandTempleandasksabouteverything!
Confucius,hearingthis,said,Thisistheritual.
[3-16]
[3:16]TheMastersaid:Inarcheryitisnotimportanttopiercethroughtheleathercoveringofthetarget,
sincenotallmenhavethesamestrength.ThisistheWayoftheancients.
[3-17]
[3:17]ZiGongwantedtodoawaywiththesacrificeofthesheeponthefirstofthemonth.Confuciussaid,
Ci,youlovethesheepIlovetheceremony.
[3-18]
[3:18]TheMastersaid:Ifyouuseeverysinglecourtesywhileservingyourprince,thepeoplewillcallyou
asycophant.
[3-19]
[3:19]DukeDingaskedhowarulershouldemployhisministersandhowaministershouldservehisruler.
Confuciusreplied,saying:Theprinceemployshisministerswithproprietytheministersservetheirprince
withgoodfaith.
[3-20]
[3:20]TheMastersaid:TheGuanju5allowsforpleasurewithoutbeinglewdandallowsforgriefwithout
beingtoopainful.
[3-21]
,
[3:21]TheDukeofAiaskedZaiWoaboutsacredtemplegrounds.ZaiWosaid,TheXiaemperorplanted
themwithpinestheXiangpeopleplantedthemwithcypressandtheZhoupeopleplantedthemwith
chestnut,thinkingtocausepeopletobeinaweofthesetrees.
Confucius,hearingthis,said,Don'tbotherexplainingthatwhichhasalreadybeendonedon'tbothercriticizing
thatwhichisalreadygonedon'tbotherblamingthatwhichisalreadypast.
[3-22]
,
[3:22]TheMastersaid:GuanZhong6wasquitelimitedincapacity.
Someoneasked:Wasn'tGuanZhongfrugal?
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 8/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
Confuciussaid,Guanhadthreesetsofwivesandhisofficersneverworkedovertime.Howcanhebe
consideredtohavebeenfrugal?
ButthendidGuanZhongunderstandpropriety?Confuciussaid,Theprincesofthestateshaveaspecial
ritualscreenattheirdoor,andsodidGuanZhong(eventhoughhewasnotoftheproperranktodothis).
Whentheprincesofstatehadafriendlymeeting,theywouldrituallyturntheircupsoveronthetable.Guan
alsoturnedhiscupsoveronthetable.IfGuanZhongunderstoodpropriety,thenwhodoesn't?
[3-23]
[3:23]Confucius,whentalkingwiththeGrandMusicMasterofLu,said,Inmyunderstandingofmusic,
thepieceshouldbebeguninunison.Afterwards,ifitispure,clearandwithoutbreak,itwillbeperfect.
[3-24]
[3:24]TheborderguardatYirequestedanaudiencewiththeMaster,saying:Wheneveranobleman
comeshere,Inevermisstheopportunitytoseehim.Thedisciplessenthimin.Whenhecameout,hesaid,
Friends,don'thaveanydoubtsaboutyourmasterfailing.TheworldhascertainlylackedtheWayforalong
timenow,butHeavenwilluseyourmastertoawakeneveryone.
[3-26]
[3:26]TheMastersaid:Menofhighofficewhoarenarrowmindedproprietywithoutrespectandfunerals
withoutgrief:howcanIbeartolookatsuchthings?!
4.
[4-1]
[4:1]TheMastersaid:Asforaneighborhood,itisitsrenthatmakesitbeautiful.Ifyouchoosetoliveina
placethatlacksren,howcanyougrowinwisdom?
[4-2]
[4:2]TheMastersaid:Ifyoulackrenyoucan'thandlelongperiodsofdifficultyorlongperiodsof
comfort.Humanemenarecomfortableinren.Thewisetakeadvantageofren.
[4-3]
[4:3]TheMastersaid:Onlythehumanepersonisabletoreallylikeothersortoreallydislikethem.
[4-4]
[4:4]TheMastersaid:Ifyouarereallycommittedtoren,youwillnothaveresentments.
[Comment]Inthepriorpassage,ithasbeenstatedthatthemanofreniscapableofhatingpeople.Hereit
wouldseemthatalthoughhehasthatcapability,ifhemakesanefforttoexercisehisinnategoodness,hewill
notholdthatmalice.7
[4-5]
[4:5]Confuciussaid,Richesandhonorsarewhatallmendesire.Butiftheycannotbeattainedin
accordancewiththeWaytheyshouldnotbekept.Povertyandlowstatusarewhatallmenhate.Butifthey
cannotbeavoidedwhilestayinginaccordancewiththeWay,youshouldnotavoidthem.Ifanobleman
departsfromhisfundamentalgoodness,howcanhebeworthyofthatname?Anoblemanneverleaveshis
fundamentalgoodnessforeventhetimeofasinglemeal.Inmomentsofhasteheactsaccordingtoit.In
timesofdifficultyorconfusionheactsaccordingtoit.
[4-6]
[4:6]TheMastersaid:Ihaveneverseenonewhoreallylovesrenorreallyhatesnonren.Ifyoureally
lovedrenyouwouldnotplaceanythingaboveit.Ifyoureallyhatedthenonren,youwouldnotletitnear
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 9/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
you.Isthereanyonewhohasdevotedhisstrengthtorenforasingleday?Ihavenotseenanyonewhohas
lackedthestrengthtodoso.Perhapstherehasbeensuchacase,butIhaveneverseenit.
[4-7]
[4:7]TheMastersaid:Peopleerraccordingtotheirownlevel.Itisbyobservingaperson'smistakesthat
youcanknowhis/hergoodness.
[Comment]Nooneisperfect,freefromerror.Butwhensomeonemakesamistakeinahumanrelationship,
wecantellbythetypeofmistake,andbytheperson'swayofdealingwithit,whather/histruecharacteris
like.
[4-8]
[4:8]TheMastersaid:IfIcanheartheWayinthemorning,intheeveningIcandiecontent.
[4-9]
[4:9]Ashiwhoissetontheway,butisashamedofoldclothesandcoarsefood,isnotworthconsulting.
[Comment]ThetitleshiistranslatedintoEnglishwithsuchtermsaselite,knight,scholar,etc.While
theshioflaterChinesehistoryismoredefinitelyascholarthanaknight,intheAnalects,whatConfuciusis
referringtoisalevelofspiritual/moraldevelopment,aswellasacademicandmartialcultivationwhichis
clearlyabovethatoftheaverageperson.Thus,wecanunderstandtheshitobeapersonwhoiswellonthe
waytowardbecominganobleman,butisnotquitethereyet.Iamreluctanttorendershi,aseither
scholarorknightbecauseofthelimitationsinmeaningthatoccurwiththeseEnglishwords.
[4-10]
[4:10]TheMastersaid:Whenthenoblemandealswiththeworldheisnotprejudicedfororagainst
anything.HedoeswhatisRight.
[4-11]
[4:11]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemancaresaboutvirtuetheinferiormancaresaboutmaterialthings.The
noblemanseeksdisciplinetheinferiormanseeksfavors.
[4-12]
[4:12]TheMastersaid:Ifyoudoeverythingwithaconcernforyourownadvantage,youwillberesented
bymanypeople.
[4-13]
[4:13]TheMastersaid:Ifyoucangovernthecountrybyputtingproprietyfirst,whatelsewillyouneedto
do?Ifyoucan'tgovernyourcountrybyputtingproprietyfirst,howcouldyouevencallitpropriety?
[4-14]
[4:14]TheMastersaid:Idon'tworryaboutnothavingagoodpositionIworryaboutthemeansIuseto
gainposition.Idon'tworryaboutbeingunknownIseektobeknownintherightway.
[4-15]
[4:15]TheMastersaid:Shan,myWayispenetratedbyasinglethread.CengZisaid,Yes.Whenthe
Masterleft,somedisciplesaskedwhathemeant.CengZisaid,Ourmaster'sWayistobesincereandfair,
andthat'sit.
[4-16]
[4:16]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanisawareoffairness,theinferiormanisawareofadvantage.
[4-17]
[4:17]TheMastersaid:Whenyouseeagoodperson,thinkofbecominglikeher/him.Whenyousee
someonenotsogood,reflectonyourownweakpoints.
[4-18]
[4:18]TheMastersaid:Whenyouserveyourmotherandfatheritisokaytotrytocorrectthemonceina
while.Butifyouseethattheyarenotgoingtolistentoyou,keepyourrespectforthemanddon'tdistance
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 10/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
yourselffromthem.Workwithoutcomplaining.
[4-19]
[4:19]TheMastersaid:Whileyourparentsarealive,itisbetternottotravelfaraway.Ifyoudotravel,you
shouldhaveaprecisedestination.
[4-20]
[4:20]TheMastersaid:If,forthreeyears(afteryourfather'sdeath)youdon'talterhiswaysofdoing
things,youcancertainlybecalledfilial.
[4-21]
[4:21]TheMastersaid:Yourparents'ageshouldnotbeignored.Sometimesitwillbeasourceofjoy,and
sometimesitwillbeasourceofapprehension.
[4-22]
[4:22]TheMastersaid:Theancientswerehesitanttospeak,fearingthattheiractionswouldnotdojustice
totheirwords.
[4-23]
[4:23]TheMastersaid:Ifyouarestrictwithyourself,yourmistakeswillbefew.
[4-24]
[4:24]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemandesirestobehesitantinspeech,butsharpinaction.
[4-25]
[4:25]TheMastersaid:Ifyouarevirtuous,youwillnotbelonely.Youwillalwayshavefriends.
[4-26]
[4:26]ZiYousaid:Inservingyourprince,frequentremonstrancewillleadtodisgrace.Withfriends,
frequentremonstrancewillleadtoseparation.
5.
[5-1]
[5:1]ConfuciussaidofGongYeChangthathewasfitformarriage.Eventhoughhewasarrestedonce,he
hadbeeninnocentthereforeConfuciusgavehimhisdaughterinmarriage.
[5-2]
[5:2]ConfuciussaidofNanYongthatiftheWayprevailedinthestatehewouldneverlackanofficialpost.
IftheWaywaslackinginthestate,hewouldavoidgettingintotrouble.Hegavehimthedaughterofhis
ownelderbrotherinmarriage.
[5-3]
[5:3]ConfuciussaidofZiJian:Heisanobleman.IfthestateofLuisreallylackingSuperiorMenhow
couldhehaveacquiredsuchacharacter?
[5-4]
[5:4]ZiGongasked:Whatdoyousayofme?
Confuciussaid,Youareavessel.
Whatkindofvessel.
Agemmedsacrificialvessel.
[5-5]
[5:5]Someonesaid:Yongisarenman,butheisnotsharpenoughwithhistongue.Confuciussaid,Why
doesheneedtobesharpwithhistongue?Ifyoudealwithpeoplebysmoothtalk,youwillsoonbedisliked.
Idon'tknowifYongisarenman,butwhyshouldhehavetobeacleverspeaker?
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 11/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[5-6]
[5:6]ConfuciusencouragedQiDiaoKaitogetemploymentasanofficial.Hereplied:Iamnotyetsincere
enough.Themasterwaspleased.
[5-7]
[5:7]TheMastersaid:TheWayisnotpracticed.IshallgoridearaftontheoceanandIimagineYou
wouldgowithme.ZiLuwasveryhappytohearthis.Confuciussaid,YoulikesdaringmorethanI,buthe
lacksdiscretion.
[5-8]
[5:8]MengWuBoaskedConfuciuswhetherZiLuwasarenman.
Confuciussaid,Idon'tknow.
Heaskedagain.Confuciussaid,Youcoulddirectthepublicworksforcesinastateof1,000chariots,butIdon't
knowifIwouldcallhimarenman.
Mengagainasked:WhataboutQiu?
Confuciussaid,Qiucouldbethegovernorofacityof1,000families,orofaclanof100chariots,butIdon't
knowifheisarenman.
Mengasked:WhataboutChi?
TheMastersaid,Dressedupwithhissash,placedinthemiddleofthecourt,hecouldmakeconversationwiththe
guests,butIdon'tknowifheisarenman.
[5-9]
[5:9]Confucius,speakingtoZiGongsaid,Whoissuperior,youorHui?ZiGonganswered,saying:
HowcouldIcomparemyselftoHui?Hehearsonepointandunderstandsthewholething.Ihearonepoint
andunderstandasecondone.
Confuciussaid,YouarenotequaltohimyouandI,wearenotequaltohim.8
[5-10]
[5:10]ZaiYousleptduringthedaytime.Confuciussaid,Rottenwoodcannotbecarveddirtyearthcannot
beusedforcement:whybotherscoldinghim?AtfirstIusedtolistentowhatpeoplesaidandexpectthemto
actaccordingly.NowIlistentowhatpeoplesayandwatchwhattheydo.IlearnedthisfromYou.
[5-11]
[5:11]TheMastersaid:Ihavenotyetmetareallysolidman.Someonesaid,WhataboutShanCheng?
Confuciussaid,Chengisruledbylust.Howcouldhebesolid?
[5-12]
[5:12]ZiGongsaid:WhatIdon'twantdonetome,Idon'twanttodotoothers.
Confuciussaid,Ci,youhavenotyetgottentothislevel.
[5-13]
[5:13]ZiGongsaid:WhatourMasterhastosayabouttheclassicscanbeheardandalsoembodied.Our
Master'swordsontheessenceandtheHeavenlyWay,thoughnotattainable,canbeheard.
[5-14]
[5:14]WhenZiLuheardateachingandhadnotyetputitintopractice,hewouldbeapprehensiveabout
hearingsomethingnewinthemeantime.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 12/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[5-15]
[5:15]ZiGongasked:HowdidKongWenZigetthetitlewen?(wen=learned,literary,refined)
Confuciussaid,Hewasdiligentandlovedtostudy.Hewasalsounashamedtoaskquestionstohis
inferiors.Thereforehegotthenamewen.
[5-16] ,
[5:16]ConfuciussaidthatZiChanhadfourcharacteristicsofthenobleman:Inhisprivateconducthewas
courteousinservingsuperiorshewasrespectful,inprovidingforthepeoplehewaskindindealingwith
thepeoplehewasjust.
[5-17]
[5:17]TheMastersaid:YanPingZhongwasgoodatgettingalongwithpeople.Evenafteralongperiodof
acquaintance,hewouldcontinuetotreatthemwithrespect.
[5-19]
[5:19]ZiZhangasked:TheChiefMinisterZiWenwasappointedthreetimes,butnevershowedanysign
ofpleasure.Hewasfiredthreetimes,butnevershowedanysignofdisappointment.Hewouldalways
informtheincomingministeronallthedetailsofthepriorgovernment.Whatdoyouthinkofhim?
Confuciussaid,Hewasloyal.
Washehumane?
Confuciussaid,Idon'tknowwhathedidtodeservetobecalledhumane.
ZiZhangagainasked:WhenQiuZiassassinatedtheprinceofQi,ChanWenZi,whohadafiefoften
chariots,abandonedthemandleftthestate.Arrivingtoanotherstate,hesaid,Thegovernmenthereisjust
likethatoftheofficerQiuZi.andheleftit.Comingtoanotherstatehesaid,Theyareagainjustlikethe
officerQiuZi.andheleft.Whatdoyouthinkofhim?
Confuciussaid,Hewaspure.
Washehumane?
Idon'tknowwhathedidtomeritbeingcalledhumane.
[5-20]
[5:20]JiWenZicontemplatedsomethingthreetimesbeforeactinguponit.WhenConfuciusheardthis,he
said,Twiceisenough.
[5-21]
[5:21]TheMastersaid:WhentheWayprevailedinthestate,NingWuZishowedhisintelligence.When
theWaydeclinedinthestate,heplayedstupid.Someonemightbeabletomatchhisintelligence,butnoone
canmatchhisstupidity.
[5-22]
[5:22]Once,whenConfuciuswasinChen,hesaid,Imustreturn!Imustreturn!Myyoungdisciplesare
wild9andunbridled.Thoughtheyaredevelopingwell,theydon'talwaysknowwhentorestrain
themselves.
[5-23]
[5:23]TheMastersaid:BoYiandShuQididnotkeepothers'formerwrongdoingsinmind,andsothere
waslittleresentmentagainstthem.
[Comment]BoYiandShuQiaretwoministersofantiquity,famousfortheirvirtue.
[5-24]
[5:24]TheMastersaid:WhosaidthatWeiShengGaoisofstraightcharacter?Someonebeggedvinegar
fromhim,andhewentandgotsomefromhisneighborsandgaveittohim.(Ratherthangivinghisown).
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 13/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[5-25]
[5:25]TheMastersaid:Cleverwords,apretentiousfaceandtooperfectcourtesy:ZuoQiumingwas
ashamedofthem.Iamalsoashamedofthem.Concealingone'sresentmentsandactingfriendlytopeople:
ZuoQiumingwasashamedtoactthiswayandsoamI.
[5-26]
[5:26]YanyuanandZiLuwerebytheMaster'sside.Hesaidtothem:Whydon'teachofyoutellmeof
youraspirations?
ZiLusaid,Iwouldliketohavewagons,horsesandlightfurcoatstogivetomyfriends,andifthey
damagedthem,nottogetangry.
Yanyuansaid,Iwouldlikenottobeproudofmygoodpointsandnottoshowoffmyworks.
ZiLusaid,Whatareyourwishes,Teacher?
Confuciussaid,Iwouldliketogivecomforttotheaged,trusttomyfriendsandnurturancetotheyoung.
[5-27]
[5:27]TheMastersaid:It'sallover!Ihavenotyetmetsomeonewhocanseehisownfaultsandcorrect
themwithinhimself.
[5-28]
[5:28]TheMastersaid:InahamletoftenfamiliestheremustbesomeoneasloyalandtrustworthyasI.
ButIdoubttherewillbesomeoneasfondofstudy.
6.
[6-1]
[6:1]TheMastersaid:Yongcouldfulfilltheroleoffacingsouth(beingaruler).
[6-2]
[6:2]ZhongGongaskedaboutZisangBoZi.
Confuciussaid,Hewilldo.Heiseasygoing.
ZhongGongsaid,Maybeifyouareeasygoingbutabideinreverenceitisallright.Butifyouabidein
easygoingnessandarealsoeasygoinginyouractivities,wouldn'tthatbeexcessive?
Confuciussaid,Yongisright.
[6-3]
[6:3]TheDukeofAiaskedwhichdisciplelovedtostudy.Confuciusanswered:TherewasYanhui.He
lovedtostudy,hedidn'ttransferhisangertothewrongperson,andhedidn'trepeathismistakes.
Unfortunatelyhediedyoung.SincethenIhavenotyetmetanyonewholovestostudythewayhedid.
[6-6]
[6:6]Confucius,speakingofZhongGongsaid:Thecalfofabrindledoxcouldbeallredandhavegood
horns.10Butevenifwedecidenottouseit,wouldnature[lit.themountainsandrivers]castitaway?11
[6-7]
[6:7]TheMastersaid:Huicouldkeephismindonrenforthreemonthswithoutlapse.Othersareluckyif
theycandoitforonedayoutofamonth.
[6-8]
[6:8]JikangZiaskedwhetherZhongyouwascapableofservinginthegovernment.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 14/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
Confuciussaid,Youisefficient.Whatproblemcouldhehaveinhandlinggovernmentwork?
Kangasked:IsCicapableofservinginthegovernment?
Confuciussaid,Ciisintelligent.Whatproblemcouldhehaveinhandlinggovernmentwork?
AndwhataboutQiu?
Confuciussaid,Qiuistalented.Whatdifficultywouldhehaveinhandlinggovernmentwork?
[6-9]
[6:9]TheheadoftheQifamilysenttoMinZiqiantoaskhimtogovernPiforthem.MinZiqiansaid,
Pleasedeclineformepolitely.Iftheypursuemefurther,IshallhavetogoliveonthebanksoftheWen
River.12
[6-10]
[6:10]BoniuwassickandConfuciuscametoseehim.Heheldhishandthroughthewindowandsaid,He
isdying!Howawfulitisthatthiskindofmanshouldbesicklikethis!Howawfulitisthatthiskindofman
shouldbesicklikethis!
[6-11]
[6:11]TheMastersaid:Huiwasindeedaworthy!Withasinglebamboobowlofriceandgourdcupof
waterhelivedinabackalley.Otherscouldnothaveenduredhismisery,butHuineverchangedfromhis
happydisposition.Huiwasaworthyindeed!
CommentInConfucianandDaoistthought,thetermxian(worthy)meansgood,kind,intelligent,
courageous,etc.Butitisalsoatechnicaltermforapersonofahighlevelofmoralandintellectual
advancement.Generallyspeaking,itindicatessomeonewhoisalmostperfectbutwhoisnotadivine
being,asage.
[6-12]
[6:12]Yenqiusaid:ItisnotthatIdon'tenjoyyourWay,butmystrengthisnotenough.
Confuciussaid,Thosewhosestrengthisnotenoughgiveuphalfway.Youarenowlimitingyourself.
[6-13]
[6:13]ConfuciussaidtoZiXia:Beanoblescholardon'tbeapettyscholar.
[6-14]
[6:14]ZiYoubecamethegovernorofWucheng.TheMastersaid,Haveyougotanygoodmenworking
foryou?
Heanswered:IhaveDantaiMieming,whonevertakesshortcutsinhisworkanddoesnotcometomy
officeunlesshehasrealbusinesstodiscuss.
[6-15]
[6:15]TheMastersaid:MengZhifanisnotboastful.Oncehewascoveringtherearduringaretreat,and
whenhewasabouttoenterthegate,hewhippedhishorseandsaid,Iwasn'tsobraveastobelast.My
horsewouldnotrunfastenough.
[6-16]
[6:16]TheMastersaid:WithoutthesmoothspeechofPreacherTuoorthegoodlooksofPrinceZhaoof
Song,itisdifficulttostayoutoftroubleinthepresentage.
[6-17]
[6:17]TheMastersaid:Whocangooutwithoutusingthedoor?Sowhydoesn'tanybodyfollowthe
Way?
[6-18]
[6:18]TheMastersaid:Ifrawsubstancedominatesrefinement,youwillbecoarse.Ifrefinementdominates
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 15/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
rawsubstance,youwillbeclerical.Whenrefinementandrawqualitiesarewellblended,youwillbeanoble
man.
[6-19]
[6:19]TheMastersaid:Peoplearestraightforwardatbirth.Oncetheylosethis,theyrelyonlucktoavoid
trouble.
[6-20]
[6:20]TheMastersaid:Knowingitisnotasgoodaslovingitlovingitisnotasgoodasdelightinginit.
[6-21]
[6:21]TheMastersaid:Youcanteachhighleveltopicstothoseofaboveaverageability,butyoucan't
teachhighleveltopicstothoseoflessthanaverageability.
[6-22]
[6:22]FanChiaskedaboutthenatureofwisdom.
Confuciussaid,Workingtogivethepeoplejusticeandpayingrespecttothespirits,butkeepingawayfrom
them,youcancallwisdom.
Heaskedaboutthenatureofren.
Confuciussaid,Ahyes,ren.Ifyousufferfirstandthenattainit,itcanbecalledren.
[6-23]
[6:23]TheMastersaid:Thewiseenjoythesea,thehumaneenjoythemountains.Thewisearebusy,the
humanearetranquil.Thewisearehappy,thehumaneareeternal.
[6-24]
[6:24]TheMastersaid:ThestateofQi,withonechange,couldbeatthelevelofLu.ThestateofLu,with
onechange,couldattaintotheWay.
[6-25]
[6:25]TheMastersaid:Acorneredvesselwithoutcorners!Isitacorneredvesselornot?
[6-26]
[6:26]ZaiWoasked:Ifyoutellarenmanthereisrenatthebottomofthewell,willheclimbintoit?
Confuciussaid,Areyoukidding?Thenoblemanwillgotothewellbutnotfallintoit.Hecanbedeceived,
butnottothepointofseriousloss!
[6-27]
[6:27]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanwhostudiescultureextensively,anddisciplineshimselfwith
proprietycankeepfromerror.
[6-28]
[6:28]TheMastervisitedNanZi(awomanknownforhersexualexcesses)andZiLuwasdispleased.The
Masterdealtwiththis,saying:WhateverIhavedonewrong,mayHeavenpunishme!MayHeavenpunish
me!
[6-29]
[6:29]TheMastersaid:Evenoveralongperiodoftime,therehavebeenfewpeoplewhohaveactualized
theMeanintoManifestVirtue.
[6-30]
[6:30]ZiGongasked:Supposetherewerearulerwhobenefitedthepeoplefarandwideandwascapable
ofbringingsalvationtothemultitude,whatwouldyouthinkofhim?Mighthebecalledhumane?
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 16/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
TheMastersaid,Whyonlyhumane?Hewouldundoubtedlybeasage.EvenYaoandShunwouldhave
hadtostrivetoachievethis.Nowtherenman,wishinghimselftobeestablished,seesthatothersare
established,and,wishinghimselftobesuccessful,seesthatothersaresuccessful.Tobeabletotakeone's
ownfeelingsasaguidemaybecalledtheartofren.
7.
[7-1]
[7:1]TheMastersaid:Iamatransmitter,ratherthananoriginalthinker.Itrustandenjoytheteachingsof
theancients.InmyheartIcomparemyselftooldPeng.
[7-2]
[7:2]TheMastersaid:Keepingsilentandthinkingstudyingwithoutsatiety,teachingotherswithout
weariness:thesethingscomenaturaltome.
[7-3]
[7:3]TheMastersaid:Havingvirtueandnotcultivatingitstudyingandnotsiftinghearingwhatisjust
andnotfollowingnotbeingabletochangewrongdoing:thesearethethingsthatmakemeuncomfortable.
[7-4]
[7:4]DuringtheMaster'sleisuretimehewasrelaxedandenjoyedhimself.
[7-5]
[7:5]TheMastersaid:Iamreallygoingdownthedrain.IhavenotdreamtoftheDukeofZhouforalong
timenow.
[7-6]
[7:6]TheMastersaid:SetyouraspirationsontheWay,holdtovirtue,relyonyourren,andrelaxinthe
studyofthearts.
[7-7]
[7:7]TheMastersaid:Fromtheonewhobroughtabundleofdriedmeat(thepoorestperson)upwards,I
haveneverdeniedapersonmyinstruction.
[7-8]
[7:8]TheMastersaid:Ifastudentisnoteager,Iwon'tteachhimifheisnotstrugglingwiththetruth,I
won'trevealittohim.IfIliftuponecornerandhecan'tcomebackwiththeotherthree,Iwon'tdoitagain.
[7-9]
[7:9]IftheMastersatbesideapersoninmourning,hewouldnoteattothefull.Ifhehadweptonacertain
day,hewouldnotsing.
[7-11]
[7:11]ConfuciussaidtoYanyuan:
Whenneeded,acting
Whennotneeded,concealing.
OnlyyouandIcandothis.
ZiLusaid,Ifyouhadtohandleamajorarmy,whowouldyouchoosetoassistyou?
Confuciussaid,Iwouldnotselectthekindofmanwholikestowrestlewithtigersorcrossriversonfoot,
whocandiewithoutasecondthought(likeZiLu).Itmustbesomeonewhoapproacheshisbusinesswith
caution,wholikestoplanthingswellandseethemtotheircompletion.
[7-12]
[7:12]TheMastersaid:Iftheattainmentofwealthwasguaranteedinitsseeking,evenifIweretobecome
agroomwithawhipinhandtogetit,Iwoulddoso.Butsinceitsattainmentcannotbeguaranteed,Iwillgo
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 17/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
withthatwhichIlove.
[7-13]
[7:13]ThethingswithwhichtheMasterwascautious,werefasting,warandsickness.
[7-14]
[7:14]WhenConfuciuswasinQi,heheardtheShaomusic,andforthreemonthsdidnotknowthetasteof
meat.Hesaid,Ineverknewmusiccouldreachthislevelofexcellence!
[7-15]
[7:15]YenYousaid:IsourTeacherinfavoroftherulerofWei?
ZiGongsaid,Well,Iwillgofindout.HeenteredtheTeacher'sroomandasked:Whatkindofmenwere
BoYiandShuQi?
Confuciussaid,Theywereancientworthies.
ZiGongasked:Weren'ttheyresentedbyanyone?
Confuciussaid,Ifyouseekrenandattainit,whatresentmentcanyouincur?
ZiGongcameoutandsaid,Heisnotinfavorofhim"13
[7-16]
[7:16]TheMastersaid:Icanlivewithcoarsericetoeat,waterfordrinkandmyarmasapillowandstill
behappy.Wealthandhonorsthatonepossessesinthemidstofinjusticearelikefloatingclouds.
[7-17]
[7:17]TheMastersaid:IfIcouldadd50yearstomylife,IwouldstudytheChangesandbecomefreeof
error.
[7-18]
[7:18]TopicswhichtheTeacherregularlydiscussedweretheBookofOdes,theBookofHistory,andthe
maintenanceofpropriety.Thesewerethetopicswhichheregularlydiscussed.
[7-19]
[7:19]TheDukeofShehaskedZiLuaboutConfucius.ZiLudidn'tanswerhim.TheTeachersaid,Why
didn'tyoujusttellhimthatIamamanwhoineagernessforstudyforgetstoeat,inhisenjoymentofit,
forgetshisproblemsandwhoisunawareofoldagesettingin?
[7-20]
[7:20]TheMastersaid:Iwasnotbornwithwisdom.Ilovetheancientteachingsandhaveworkedhardto
attaintotheirlevel.
[7-21]
[7:21]Themasterneverdiscussedstrangephenomena,physicalexploits,disorderorghoststories.
[7-22]
[7:22]TheMastersaid:Whendoingsomethingtogetherasathreesome,theremustbeonewhowillhave
somethingtoteachme.Ipickoutpeople'sgoodandfollowit.WhenIseetheirbadpoints,Icorrectthemin
myself.
[7-23]
[7:23]TheMastersaid:Heavengavebirthtothevirtuewithinme.WhatcanHuanTui14dotome?
[7-24]
[7:24]Confuciussaidtohisdisciples:Myboys,doyouthinkIconcealthingsfromyou?ThereisnothingI
concealfromyou.ThereisnothingthatIdothatisnotrightoutinfrontofyou.ThatisthewayIam.
[7-25]
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 18/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[7:25]TheMastertaughtfourthings:Culture,correctaction,loyaltyandtrust.
[7-26]
[7:26]TheMastersaid:Ihavenotyetbeenabletomeetasage,butIwouldbesatisfiedtomeetanoble
man.Ihavenotyetmetamanoftruegoodness,butwouldbesatisfiedtomeetamanofconstancy.Lacking,
yetpossessingempty,yetfullindifficultyyetatease.Howdifficultitistohaveconstancy!
[7-27]
[7:27]WhentheMasterwentfishing,hedidnotuseanetwhenhehunted,hewouldnotshootataperched
bird.
[7-28]
[7:28]TheMastersaid:Theremaybethosewhocanactcreativelywithoutknowledge.Iamnotatthis
level.Ilistenwidely,selectthegoodandfollowtheirways.Iobservebroadlyandcontemplate.Thisisthe
secondlevelofknowledge.(Forthelevelsofknowledge,seeAnalects16:9).
[7-29]
[7:29]SinceitwashardtohaveaworthwhilediscussionwiththepeopleofHuxiang,whenoneoftheir
youngmencametoseetheteacher,thedisciplesdidn'tknowwhattodowithhim.Confuciussaid,Take
peoplethewaytheycometoyou,notforthewaytheyareaftertheyleave.Whybesostrict?Ifsomeone
purifieshismindtoapproachyou,accepthiminhispurity.Don'tworryaboutwhathedoesafterheleaves.
[7-30]
[7:30]TheMastersaid:Isrenfaraway?IfIaspireforrenitisrighthere!
[7-31]
[7:31]TheMinisterofJusticeinChenaskedwhethertheDukeofZhaoknewtherulesofpropriety.
Confuciussaid,Hedid.
WhenConfuciusleft,theministerbowedto(hisprince)WuMaqiandwentuptohim,saying:Ihaveheard
thatthenoblemanisnotpartisan,butmaybehecanbesincePrinceWutookawifewiththesamesurname,
sayingthatshecamefromtheelderfamilyofWu.Ifthisprinceknewtherulesofpropriety,thenwho
doesn'tknowthem?
WuMaqitoldthistoConfucius.
TheTeachersaid,Iamsolucky!WhenImakeamistaketheyalwaysfinditout.
[7-32]
[7:32]WhentheTeacherwassingingwithsomeone,andhefoundoutthattheysangwell,hewouldmake
themstartoveragain,andhewouldsingtheharmony.
[7-33]
[7:33]TheMastersaid:Inliterature,perhapsIamequaltoothers.ButIcannotmanifestthebehaviorofthe
nobleman.
[7-34]
[7:34]TheMastersaid:Idarenotclaimtobeasageorarenman.ButIstriveforthesewithoutbeing
disappointed,andIteachwithoutbecomingweary.Thisiswhatcanbesaidofme.
GongxiHuasaid,Itisexactlythesequalitiesthatcannotbelearnedbythedisciples.
[7-35]
[7:35]TheMasterwasverysick,andZiLusaidthathewouldprayforhim.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 19/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
Confuciussaid,istheresuchathing?
ZiLusaid,Thereis.TheEulogiessay:Iprayforyoutothespiritsoftheupperandlowerrealm.
Confuciussaid,ThenIhavebeenprayingforalongtimealready.
[7-36]
[7:36]TheMastersaid:Luxuryleadstolaxity,frugalityleadstorigidity.Itisbettertoberigidthantobe
lax.
[7-37]
[7:37]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanisalwaysateasewithhimself.Theinferiormanisalways
anxious.
[7-38]
[7:38]TheMasterwasmildyetstrict,authoritativeyetnotmean,courteous,yetrelaxed.
8.
[8-1]
[8:1]TheMastersaid:Taibocanbesaidtohavehadaperfectedlevelofvirtue.Hedeclinedtheruleofthe
kingdomthreetimes,withoutthepeopleknowingaboutit.
[8-2]
[8:2]TheMastersaid:Courtesywithoutproprietyiswastedenergy.Cautionwithoutproprietyistimidity.
Boldnesswithoutproprietyisrecklessness.Straightforwardnesswithoutproprietyisrudeness.Whenthe
ruleriskindtothosewhoareclosetohim,thepeoplewillbemovedtowardren.Ifhedoesnotforgethisold
friends,thepeopletoo,willnotbefickle.
[8-3]
[8:3]CengZiwasill.Hesummonedhisdisciplesandsaid,Uncovermyfeetandhands.TheBookofOdes
says:
Hewascautious,
Apprehensive.
Asifattheedgeofadeepchasm
Asiftreadingonthinice.
Fromnow,IknowthatIhavegottenpastthis(sickness).
[8-4]
[8:4]WhileCengZiwasill,MengJingZiwenttoseehim.CengZisaid,Whenabirdisabouttodie,its
songismelancholy.Whenamanisabouttodie,hiswordsareexcellent.TheWayprizedbythenobleman
hasthreeaspects:
Inhisbehavioranddeportmentheavoidsbrashnessandarrogance.
Whenpayingattentiontohisfacialexpressionsheisguidedbyhonesty.
Whenspeaking,heavoidsvulgarityandslander.Asfarasattendingtothesacrificialtablesthereare
specialistshiredforthesejobs.
[8-5]
[8:5]CengZisaid:Usingone'sabilitytolearnfromthoseoflessabilityusingone'slearningtolearnfrom
theunlearnedpossessing,yetseemingtolack,beingfullyetseemingempty,abletoacceptharmwithout
retaliation:inthepastIhadafriendwhocoulddothis.15
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 20/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[8-6]
[8:6]CengZisaid:Amanwhocanbeentrustedwiththecareofthecrownprince,whocantake
responsibilityforadistrictof100liandwhocanhandleamajorcrisiswithoutlosingtouchwithhimself:Is
heanobleman?Hecertainlyisanobleman.
[8-7]
[8:7]CengZisaid:Tobecalledashiyoumustbeopenmindedaswellasresolute,sinceyourburdenis
heavyandyourcourseislong.Ifyoutakerenasyourburden,isitnotheavy?Ifyoucontinuetodeath,isit
notlong?
[8-8]
[8:8]TheMastersaid:Bearousedbypoetrystructureyourselfwithpropriety,refineyourselfwithmusic.
[8-9]
[8:9]TheMastersaid:Youmightforcepeopleactaccordingacertainprinciple,butyouwon'tbeableto
forcethemtounderstandit.
[8-10]
[8:10]TheMastersaid:Amanwhoenjoysboldnessandhatespovertywillberebellious.Ifamanlacks
renandhisdissatisfactionreachesanextreme,hewillrebel.
[8-11]
[8:11]TheMastersaid:PerhapsyoucouldbeashandsomeandastalentedastheDukeofZhou.Butifyou
arearrogantorstingy,thosegoodqualitieswillnotbenoticed.
[8-12]
[8:12]TheMastersaid:Itisquiteraretoseesomeonewhoapplieshimselftothestudyofsomethingfor
threeyearswithouthavinganoticeableresult.
[8-13]
[8:13]TheMastersaid:Beofunwaveringgoodfaithandlovelearning.Besteadfastuntodeathinpursuit
ofthegoodWay.Donotenterastatewhichisinperil,norresideinonewhichpeoplehaverebelled.When
theWayprevailsintheworld,showyourself.Whenitdoesnot,thenhide.WhentheWayprevailsinyour
ownstate,tobepoorandobscureisadisgrace.ButwhentheWaydoesnotprevailinyourownstate,tobe
richandhonoredisadisgrace.
[8-14]
[8:14]TheMastersaid:Ifyoudon'thavetheofficialposition,youcan'tplantheaffairsofgovernment.
[8-15]
[8:15]TheMastersaid:AfterMusicMasterZhitookover,thefinaleoftheGuanjuwasmagnificent.How
itfilledmyears!
[8-16]
[8:16]TheMastersaid:Ireallydon'tknowwhattodowiththosewhoareardentbutnotupright,frankbut
notcareful,andnaivebutnothonest.
[8-17]
[8:17]TheMastersaid:Studyasifyouhavenotreachedyourgoalasifyouwereafraidoflosingwhat
youhave.
[8-18]
8:18Confuciussaid:HowsublimewasthemannerinwhichShunandYouhandledtheempire,without
liftingafinger!
[Comment]HerewecanasimilarityinConfucius'understandingwiththatofthewuweiornon
manipulation,whichisdiscussedatlengthintheDaodejingandtheZhuangzi.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 21/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[8-19]
[8:19]TheMastersaid:TherulershipofYaowassomagnificent!Hewassosublimethateventhough
thereisnothingasgreatasHeaven,hecouldaccordwithit.Hisgreatnesswassoboundlessitisbeyond
description.Hisefficacywasamazing,hiswritingswereenlightening.
[8-20]
[8:20]Shun,withfiveministers,wasabletosuccessfullygoverntheempire.KingWusaid,AltogetherI
havetenministers.
Confuciussaid,Theirabilityistheissue.Don'tyouthinkso?WhentheTangandWudynastiescombined,
theyhadasmanyministersasyou,withawomanandninemen.KingWen(oftheZhou)controlledtwo
thirdsoftheempire,andwiththis,servedtheYin.Indeed,thevirtueofZhoucanbecalledtheepitomeof
virtue!
[8-21]
[8:21]TheMastersaid:Yuwasflawlessincharacter.Survivingonthesimplestfoodanddrink,yetperfect
inhispietytotheancestralspirits.Normallywearingcoarseclothing,helookedmagnificentinhis
ceremonialcapandgown.Livinginahumbleabode,heexhaustedhimselfintheexcavationofdrainage
waysandcanals.Icannotfindaflawinhischaracter!
9.
[9-1]
[9:1]Themasterneverspokeaboutadvantageinconnectionwithdestinyorinconnectionwithren.
[9-2]
[9:2]AmanfromDaxiangsaid:HowgreatConfuciusis!Hislearningissobroad.However,heisnot
knownforexpertiseinanyparticularskill.
WhenConfuciusheardthis,hesaidtohisdisciples:WhatshallItakeup?ShallItakeupcharioteering?
ShallItakeuparchery?IthinkIwilltakeupcharioteering!
[9-3]
[9:3]TheMastersaid:Thelinencapisprescribedbytherulesofpropriety,butnowadaystheyuseasilk
one.Itiseconomical,andIwillgoalongwiththeconsensus.Bowingbelowthehallisprescribedbythe
rulesofpropriety,butthatispresumptuous.SoevenifIdifferfromtheconsensus,Iwillbowbelowthe
hall.
[9-4]
[9:4]Therewerefourthingsthemasterhadeliminatedfromhimself:imposinghiswill,arbitrariness,
stubbornnessandegotism.
[9-5]
[9:5]TherewasfearfortheMaster'slifewhenhewasinthedistrictofGuang.Hesaid,KingWen16has
alreadydied,buthiscultureabideswithinme.IfHeavenintendedtodestroythisculture,thenitwould
havebeenunattainableforlatergenerations.IfHeavendoesnotwanttodestroythisculture,whatcanthe
menofGuangdotome?
[9-6]
[9:6]AhighministeraskedZiGong:Ifyourmasterisreallyasage,whydoesheknowsomanyskills?17
ZiGonganswered,Heavenhasgrantedhimsagehood,aswellasdiverseskills.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 22/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
Themaster,hearingaboutthis,said,Whatdoestheministerknowaboutme?Asayouthmyfamilywas
poorsoIhadtolearnmanyworldlyskills.Isskillfulnessnecessaryforthenobleman?Ofcourseitisn't.
[9-7]
[9:7]Laosaid:Ourteachersaid,Ididn'thaveanofficialposition,therefore,Idevelopedvariousskills.
[9-8]
[9:8]TheMastersaid:DoIpossessknowledge?No,Idonotpossessit.Yetifevensimplemencometo
askaquestionofme,Iclearmymindcompletelyandthoroughlyinvestigatethematterfromoneendtothe
other.18
[9-9]
[9:8]TheMastersaid:ThePhoenixhasnotcome,theYellowRiverhasnotproducedatdiagram.19Alas,I
amfinished.
[9-10]
[9:10]Ifthemastersawsomeoneinmourning,orinfullceremonialdress,orablindperson,evenifthey
wereyoung,hewouldcollecthimself.Ifhehadtopassbythem,hewoulddoitquickly.
[9-11]
[9:11]Yanyuansighedinadmirationsaying:Lookinguptoit,itgetshigher.Boringintoit,itgetsharder.I
seeitinfront,andsuddenlyitisbehindme.Mymasterskillfullyguideshisstudentsastepatatime.Hehas
broadenedmewithliterature,disciplinedmewithpropriety.Iwanttogiveup,butIcan't.Ihaveexhausted
myability,yetitseemsasifthereissomethingrisingupinfrontofme.Iwanttofollowit,butthereisno
way.
[9-12]
42
[9:12]TheMasterwasextremelyill,andZiLuwantedthedisciplestobecomeConfucius'ministers.20
Confucius,duringaremissioninhisillness,said,Ah,Youhasbeendeceitfulforalongtime.ThoughI
don'thaveministers,youwouldmakeitappearthatIhavethem?WhowouldIbefooling?Heaven?Iwould
muchratherdieinthehandsofmydisciplesthaninthehandsofministers.AndIwouldpreferdyinginthe
streetstoapompousfuneral!
[9-13]
[9:13]ZiGongsaid:Wehaveabeautifulgemhere.Shouldwehideitaway,orlookforagoodpriceand
sellit?Confuciussaid,Sellit!Sellit!ButIwouldwaittillIgotagoodprice.
[9-14]
[9:14]TheMasterwantedtogoandstaywiththeNineTribesoftheEast.Someonesaid,Theyareunruly!
Whydoyouwanttodosuchathing?
Confuciussaid,Ifanoblemandwellswiththem,howcouldtheybeunruly?
[9-15]
[9:15]TheMastersaid:OnlyafterIreturnedtoLufromWeididthemusicgetstraightenedout,withthe
RoyalSongsandthePraisesbeingplayedattheproperplaceandtime.
[9-16]
[9:16]TheMastersaid:Whenoutintheworld,Iservedmyrulerandministers.AthomeIservedmy
fatherandelderbrothers.IneverdaredtotakefuneralslightlyandIdidn'tgetintotroublewithalcohol.
WhatproblemscouldIpossiblyhave?
[9-17]
[9:17]TheMaster,standingbyariver,said,Itgoesonlikethis,neverceasingdayornight!
[9-18]
[9:18]TheMastersaid:Ihaveneverseenonewholovesvirtueasmuchashelovesbeauty.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 23/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[9-19]
[9:19]TheMastersaid:Itislikebuildingamound:IfIstopbeforecarryingasinglebasketofearth,itis
mystopping.Itislikelevelingtheground:IfIcontinueevenafterdumpingonlyonebasket,itismy
continuation.
[Comment]Theprocessofselfdevelopmentrequirescontinualeffort,evenifonlyabitatatime.
[9-20]
[9:20]TheMastersaid:Iteachhimandheneverslacksoff.Aah,Hui!
[9-21]
[9:21]TheMaster,speakingofHui,said:Howrareishistype!Ihaveseenhimstriving,andhavenever
seenhimrest.
[9-22]
[9:22]TheMastersaid:Therearesomewhosproutbutdonotblossom,somewhoblossombutdonotbear
fruit.
[9-23]
[9:23]TheMastersaid:Weshouldbeinaweoftheyoungergeneration.Howcanweknowthattheywill
notbeequaltous?Butifamanreachestheageoffortyorfiftyandhasstillnotbeenheardfrom,thenheis
noonetobeinaweof.
[9-24]
[9:24]TheMastersaid:Isanyoneincapableoffollowingwordsofcorrectinstruction?Butitisself
transformationaccordingtoitthatisimportant.Isanyoneincapableofenjoyingwordsofgentleadvice?But
itisinquiringdeeplyintotheirmeaningthatisimportant.IfIenjoywithoutinquiringdeeply,andfollow
withoutchangingmyself,howcanIsaythatIhaveunderstoodthem?
[Comment]Confucianlearningisalwaysfullyconnectedtoselftransformation.
[9-25]
[9:25]TheMastersaid:Baseyourselfinloyaltyandtrust.Don'tbecompanionwiththosewhoarenotyour
moralequal.Whenyoumakeamistake,don'thesitatetocorrectit.
[9-26]
[9:26]TheMastersaid:Youcansnatchawaythegeneralofalargearmy,butyoucannotsnatchawaythe
willofeventhelowliestofmen.
[9-27]
[9:27]TheMastersaid:Standingintatteredworkclothesamonggentlemenclothedinfinefurswithout
anyembarrassmentitisYou!
Notharming,notcoveting:
Howcanhedowrong?21
ZiLucontinuouslychantedthis.Confuciussaid,Withjustthis,howcanyouattainexcellence?
[9-28]
[9:28]TheMastersaid:OnlyafteritturnswinterareweawareofthesurvivalofthePineandCypress.
[9-29]
[9:29]TheMastersaid:Thewisearenotconfused,thehumanearenotanxious,thebravearenotafraid.
[9-30]
[9:29]TheMastersaid:Therearesomewithwhomwecanstudy,butwithwhomwecannottraverseon
thesamepath.Therearesomewithwhomwecantraverseonthesamepath,butwithwhomwecannot
establishourselves.Therearesomewithwhomwecanestablishourselves,butwithwhomwecannotagree
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 24/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
withonfutureplanning.
[9-31]
[9:31]
Astheflowersoftheaspenplum
Leanandturn,
HowcouldInotthinkofyou?
Butyourhouseissofar.
Confuciussaid,Ifhedoesnotthinkaboutthedistance,howcoulditbeaproblem?
10.
[10-1]
[10:1]WhenConfuciuswasinhisvillage,hewasquietlysincere,asifhecouldnotspeak.Whenhewasin
theancestraltempleorthecourt,hewaseloquent,butextremelycautious.Whenspeakingtothejunior
grandmastersincourt,hewascandidandateasewhenspeakingtotheseniorgrandmasters,hewas
straightforwardbutformal.Whentherulerwaspresent,hestraightenedupceremoniously,butwithacalm
demeanor.
[10-2]
[10:2]Whentherulersummonedhimtotakecareofimportantguests,hisfacetookonaseriousexpression,
andhewalkedbriskly.Hebowedashecametotheplaceofgreeting,andwithhisleftandrighthandheld
hisgarmentinfrontandback,keepingitproperlyadjusted.Hemovedforwardquicklywithhisarmslike
wings.Whentheguestleft,hewouldwithoutfailwatch,andcontinuetoreport,theguesthasstopped
lookingback.
[10-3]
[10:3]Whenhecamethroughthecourtdoor,heshrunkdowndeferentially,asiftherewasnotenough
space.Onceinside,hedidnotstandinthemiddle,andhewouldnotsteponthethreshold.Whenhepassed
infrontoftheruler'sposition,hisexpressionbecameserious,andhesteppedcarefullyinsmallstepsit
seemeddifficultforhimtospeak.Heliftedupthehemsofhisskirtwhenenteringthehallnoddingdeeplyin
respect.Heheldhisbreathasifhecouldnotbreathe.Uponleaving,oncehehadgonedownonestep,his
countenancebecamerelaxed,andheappearedtobecontented.Reachingthebottomofthestairshebeganto
movebriskly,hisarmslikewings.Returningtohisoriginalposition,hewasdeferential.
[10-4]
[10:4]Whenholdingthejadescepter,hewasbentoverwithdeference,asifhecouldnotsupportit.Heheld
itfromaboveinafoldingway,andfrombelowinanofferingway.Heshowedaseriousandanxious
expression,walkinginastraightlinewithshufflingsteps.Inthepresentationceremony,heshowedagenial
expression.Inprivatemeetings,heseemedrelaxedwithoutconcerns.
[10-5]
[10:5]Thenoblemandidnotweardecorativecuffscoloredvioletandpuceforhishouseclothes,hewould
notwearredandmaroon.Duringhotweather,hewouldwearthin,unlinedgarmentsmadeoffineand
coarsevinefiberwhenhewentout.Withablackrobeheworeablacksheepskinmantle:withanuncolored
robeheworeafawnskinmantlewithayellowrobeheworeafoxskinmantle.Hishouserobewaslong,
withashortrightsleeve.Whenalwayssleptinsleepinggarments,whichwerehalfagainaslongashis
body.Athome,hesatonthickfoxandbadgerrugs.Whennotinamourningperiod,therewasnothinghe
wouldnotwearonhisdecorativebeltsash.Ifclotheswerenotceremonial,hewoulddefinitelyadjusttheir
length.Hewouldnotwearablacksheepskinmantleorablackhatwhenpayingvisitsofcondolence.He
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 25/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
alwaysshowedupincourtonthefirstofthemonthproperlyattiredincourtgarb.Whenfasting,healways
worecleanwhiteclothesoflinen.Duringthefasthewouldalwayschangehisdiet,aswellashisseat.
[10-6]
22
[10:6]Whenheatehewasnotaversetorefinedrice,nortofinelymincedmeat.Hewouldnoteatricethat
wasrancidorhadgonerotten,norfishandmeatthathadspoiled.Hewouldnoteatfoodthatthathadabad
colororsmellhewouldnoteatfoodthatthatwasnotcookedtotheproperlevel,orwhichwasoutof
seasonnorwouldheeatfoodthatwasnotproperlysliced,ordidnotcomewiththeappropriatecondiments.
Eveniftherewasalotofmeat,hewouldnoteatitgreaterquantitythanrice.Itwasonlywinewithwhichhe
didnotlimithimself,butatthesametime,heneverlostcontrolofhimself.Hewouldnotdrinkwineoreat
driedmeatthatcamefromthemarketplace.Hewouldnotrefrainfromeatingfoodwithginger,buthewould
notoverdoit.Whentherewasasacrificefortheruler,hewouldnotkeepthemeatovernight.Asfor
sacrificialmeatsingeneral,hewouldnotkeepthemmorethanthreedays,andiftheyweremorethanthree
daysold,hewouldnoteatthem.Hedidnotchatwhileeating,anddidnottalkafterretiring.Nomatterwhat
kindofsimplefareitmightbe,suchascoarsericeorbroth,hewouldalwaysmakeanoffering,doingso
withduesolemnity.
[10-7]
[10:7]Ifamatwasnotstraight,hewouldnotsitonit.
[10-8]
[10:8]Whendrinkingwiththetownsfolk,hewouldleaveonlyaftertheeldershaddoneso.Whenthe
townsfolkcarriedoutritualsforthecleansingofevilspirits,hewoulddonhisceremonialcourtrobesand
standontheeasternsteps.23
[10-9]
[10:9]Whenheaskedsometogotoanothercountry,hewouldbowtohimtwicebeforesendinghimoff.
[10-10]
[10:10]KangzisenttheMastersomemedicineasapresent.Respectfullyreceivingit,hesaid,Idon'tknow
aboutthismedicine,soIdon'tdaretotakeit.
[10-11]
[10:11]Therewasafireinthestables.WhentheMasterreturnedfromcourt,heasked:Wasanybody
hurt?Hedidn'taskaboutthehorses.
[10-12]
[10:12]Whentherulerwouldsendagiftofcookedfood,hewouldalwayssitstraightandfirsttasteitifthe
rulersentuncookedmeat,hewouldalwayscookitandofferittootherswhentherulerpresentedhimwith
aliveanimal,hewouldalwaysrearit.Whenattendingatamealfortheruler,aftertherulermakesthe
sacrifice,heisfirsttoeatit.24
[10-13]
[10:13]Whenhewassickandtherulercametovisithim,hewouldliedownfacingtotheeastwithhis
courtrobeonhimandhissashdrawnacrosshim.
[10-14]
[10:14]Whentherulersummonedhim,hewouldgoatonce,withoutwaitingforthehorsestobeyokedto
hiscarriage.
[10-15]
[10:15]Whenheenteredthegreatancestraltemple,heinquiredabouteverydetail.
[10-16]
[10:16]Whenafrienddied,iftherewasnoonetohandlethefuneral,hewouldsay,Iwilltakecareofit.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 26/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
Whenafriendwouldsendagiftoffoodevenhorsesandcarriagesifitwasnotsacrificialmeat,he
wouldnotbow.
[10-17] 25
[10:17]Whenheslept,hewouldnotlieonthebedlikeacorpse.Athome,hewouldnotputonanyspecial
airs.
[10-18]
[10:18]Whenhesawsomeoneinmourningclothes,evenifheknewthemwell,hewouldchangehis
expression.Encounteringapersoninfullattire,ortheblind,evenifhewasinhisinformalhomedress,he
wouldshowtheproperattitude.Encounteringsomeoneinmourning,hewouldlowerhisheadinthe
carriage,andwoulddothesameforsomeonecarryingcensusboards.Whendeliciousfoodwasserved,his
expressionwouldchangeandhewouldstandup.Hisexpressionwouldalsochangewithasudden
thunderclaporviolentwind.
[10-19]
[10:19]Whenhegotupintothecarriage,hewouldstandstraight,holdingthestraps.Onceinsidethe
carriage,hedidn'tlookabout,talkrapidlyorpointaroundwithhishands.
[10-20]
[10:20]Atachangeinexpressionthebirdtookoffitflewaroundandthenjoinedaflock.TheMastersaid:
Thehenpheasantonthemountainbridge,whattiming,whattiming!ZiLuofferedit[somebait],butafter
sniffingthreetimes,ittookoff.26
11.
[11:1]TheMastersaid:Thecountryfolkdeveloptheirunderstandingofmusicandritualearlier.The
nobilitydeveloptheselater.Fromapracticalperspective,Isuggestearlierdevelopment.
[11-2]
[11:2]AmongthosewhofollowedmeinChenandCai,nonehavecometoseemesince.
[11-3]
[11:3]ThevirtuousinconductwereYanYuan,MinZiqian,RanBoniu,andZhongGonethearticulate
wereZaiWoandZiGongskillfuladministratorswereRanYouandZiLuexcellentintheirscholarship
wereZiYouandZiXia.
[11-4]
[11:4]TheMastersaid:Huiisnohelptome.HesimplydelightsineverythingIsay.
[11-5]
[11:7]TheMastersaid:HowfilialMinZiqianwas!Otherssaynothingofhimdifferentfromthereportof
hisparents.
[11-6]
[11:6]NanRongfrequentlyrecitedthelineoftheWhiteJadeTable.27Confuciusgavehimhiselder
brother'sdaughtertowed.
[11-7]
[11:7]JiKangZiaskedwhichofthediscipleslovedtolearn.Confuciusreplied:Yanhuidid.Unfortunately
hediedyoung,andtherehasbeennoonelikehimsincethen.
[11-8]
[11:8]WhenYanYuandied,YuanLu(hisfather)askedtheMasterforhiscarriagesothathecould(sellit
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 27/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
to)buyanoutercoffin.TheMastersaidTalentedornot,asoniscalledason.When(myson)Lidied,we
hadaninnercoffin,butnotanoutercoffin.Icouldnotgoonfootjustforthesakeofmakinganoutercoffin.
WhenIamfollowingintherearofthegrandmasters,Ican'twalkonfoot.
[11-9]
[11:9]WhenYanyuandied,themastercried:Howcruel!Heaveniskillingme!Heaveniskillingme!
[11-10]
[11:10]WhenYanhuidied,theMasterweptuncontrollably.Thedisciplessaid,Master,youaregoing
overboardwiththis!Confuciussaid,Goingoverboard?!IfIcan'tcrynow,whenshouldIcry?
[11-11]
[11:11]WhenYanhuidied,thediscipleswantedtogivehimalavishfuneral.TheMastertoldthemnotto,
buttheydiditanyway.Confuciussaid,Huitreatedmelikeafather.NowIhavenotbeenabletotreathim
asason,anditisthefaultofyoustudents.
[11-12]
[11:12]ChiLuaskedaboutservingthespirits.Confuciussaid,Ifyoucan'tyetservemen,howcanyou
servethespirits?
Lusaid,MayIaskaboutdeath?Confuciussaid,Ifyoudon'tunderstandwhatlifeis,howwillyou
understanddeath?
[11-13]
[11:14]WhenMinZiwaitedbytheMaster'sside,hewascalmandprecise.ZiLuwasalwaysreadyfor
action.RanYouandZiGongwereaffable.TheMasterwaspleased,butsaid:PeoplelikeYoucan'tdiea
naturaldeath.
[11-14]
[11:14]ThemenofLuwererebuildingtheMainTreasury.MinZiqiansaid:Whydon'twekeepitsold
style?Whydowehavetochangeitcompletely?
Confuciussaid,Thisfellowdoesn'tsaymuch,butwhenhedoes,heisrightonthemark.
[11-15]
[11:15]Confuciushadsaid,WhatistheluteofYoudoingatmydoor?andsotheotherdiscipleshad
beguntolosetheirrespectforZiLu(You).Confuciussaid,Youhasascendedtothemainhall,buthasnot
yetenteredtheinnerchambers.
[11-16]
[11:16]ZiGongaskedwhowasthemostworthybetweenShihandShang.TheMastersaid,Shihgoestoo
far,Shangdoesnotgofarenough.
ThenisShihsuperior?
TheMastersaid,Goingtoofaristhesameasnotgoingfarenough.
[11-17]
[11:17]EventhoughtheheadoftheChifamilywaswealthierthantheDukeofZhou,Qiucollectedtaxes
forhim,andmadehimricher.Confuciussaid,Heisnodiscipleofmine.Mystudents,youcanbeatthe
drumandattackhimifyouwant.
[11-18]
[11:18]Zhaiissimpleminded,Zengisslow,Shiisbiased,Yuisreckless.Confuciussaid:Huiis
completelyfull,yetalwayspossessionless.Siisnotwealthybyfate,sohehastocontriveinordertoenrich
himself,andisusuallyonthemark.
[11-19]
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 28/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[11:19]ZiZhangaskedabouttheWayoftheGoodMan.Confuciussaid,Ifyoudon'tfollowitstraces,you
won'tentertheInnerChamber.Confuciussaid:Someonemayhaveprofoundtheoriesbutisheanoble
man?Orisheonlysuperficiallyimpressive?
[11-20]
[11:20]ZiLuaskedifitwasagoodideatoimmediatelyputateachingintopracticewhenhefirstheardit.
Confuciussaid,Youhaveafatherandanolderbrothertoconsult.Whydoyouneedtobesoquickto
practiceit?
Zanyouaskedthesamequestion.Confuciussaid,Youshouldpracticeitimmediately.
GongXihuasaid,WhenYouaskedyou,youtoldhimheshouldconsulthisfatherandelderbrotherfirst.
WhenQiu(Zanyou)askedyou,youtoldhimtopracticeitimmediately.MayIaskwhy?
Confuciussaid,Qiuhasatendencytogiveupeasily,soIpushhim.You(ZiLu)hasatendencytojump
thegun,soIrestrainhim.
[11-21]
[11:21]DuringtheincidentoftheMaster'sendangermentinGuang,Huihadfallenbehind.Confuciussaid,
Iwasafraidtheyhadkilledyou.
Huisaid,Whileyouarealive,howcanIdaretodie?
[11-22]
[11:22]WhenJiZiranaskedtheMasterwhetherZhongYouandRanQiucouldbecalledgreatministers,the
Mastersaid:Ithoughtyouweregoingtoaskaboutsomeoneelse,butthenyouaskedmeaboutYouand
Qiu.AgreatministerserveshisrulerbymeansoftheWay,andifhecan't,hewillquit.NowYouandQiu
canbecalledstopgapministers.Doesthismeanthattheywilldoastheyaretold?TheMastersaid:If
theywereorderedtokilltheirfatherorruler,theywouldn'tdoit.
[11-23]
[11:23]ZiLugotZiGaoinstalledasPrefectofBi.TheMastersaid:Youaredamagingsomeone'sson.Zi
Lusaid:Therearepeopleandtherearenationalaltars(tobeadministered).Whyshoulditbenecessaryto
readbookstoberegardedaslearned.TheMastersaid:ThisiswhyIdon'tlikeglibpeople.
[11-24]
[11:25]ZiLu(You),TsangHsi(Qiu),ZanYou(Ch'ih)andGongXihua(Tian)weresittingwiththeMaster.
Confuciussaid,AlthoughIamadayorsoolderthanyoufellows,forgetaboutitforthetimebeing.You
areallalwayssaying:Ourtalentsareunrecognized.Supposeyourabilitieswerefullyacknowledged.What
wouldyoudothen?
ZiLujumpedtoreplyfirst,saying:Iwouldliketobeinthepositionofthechargeofarelativelysmallstate
whichwasbeingthreatenedbythearmiesofthesurroundinglargerstates,andsufferingfromcropfailure.If
Iwereinthisposition,withinthreeyearsmypeoplewouldbefearlessandknowhowtotakecareof
themselves.
Confuciuslaughedathim.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 29/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
HeturnedtoQiuandsaid,Whataboutyou?
Qiusaid,Letmehavethegovernmentofaterritoryof60to70li,ormaybe50to60li,forthreeyears,and
thepeoplewouldhavealltheyneed.Asforhandlingtheaffairsofritualandmusic,Iwouldseekanoble
man.
Chi,whataboutyou?
Chisaid,IcannotsayIamcapableofwhattheothertwohaveproposed,thoughIwouldliketowork
towardit.Attheservicesattheancestralhall,orattheaudienceswiththePrince,Iwouldliketoserveasa
minorassistant,dressedintheceremonialgownandcap.
Dian,whataboutyou?
Diansethislutedownwithitsstringsstillringing,andstoodup.WhatIwouldliketodo,hesaid,isquite
differentfromthesethree.TheMastersaid,Whatharmcantherebe?Pleasespeakastheothershave.
Diansaid,Attheheightofspring,alldeckedoutinspringclothes,Iwouldliketotakefiveorsixyoung
men,andsixorsevenyoungsterstogoforaswimintheYiriver,enjoyingthecoolbreezeattheRain
DanceFestival,andmakeourwaybackhome,singing.
Confuciussighed,andsaid,Ah,lovely.Iamwithyou,Tien.
ThethreeothersleftandDianaskedtheMaster:Whatdidyouthinkaboutthewordsofthosethree?
Confuciussaid,Eachjusttoldhiswish.
ButwhydidyoulaughatYou?
Becausetogovernastate,youneedpropriety,andhiswordsaretotallylackinginhumility.That'swhyI
laughedathim.
ButQiuwasn'taskingforastate.
Confuciussaid,Haveyoueverseenaterritoryof60or70lithatwasn'tastate?
AtleastChiwasn'taskingforastate.
Yes,butwhobesidesthenobilitycanserveintheancestraltemple,orhaveanaudiencewiththePrince.If
Chiweretobeaminorassistantattheseaffairs,whocouldbeachiefassistant?
12.
[12-1]
[12:1]Yanyuanaskedaboutthemeaningofhumaneness.TheMastersaid,Tocompletelyovercome
selfishnessandkeeptoproprietyishumaneness.Ifforafulldayyoucanovercomeselfishnessandkeepto
propriety,everyoneintheworldwillreturntohumaneness.Doeshumanenesscomefromoneself,orfrom
others?
[Comment]Thispassagehasalwaysprovidedproblemsfortranslatorsandcommentators.Virtuallyallofthe
modernEnglishtranslatorseitheralterthegrammarofthissentenceorreinterpretitandinsuchawayasto
disallowthepossibilitythatpowerofthemindofasingleindividualtobringpeacetotheworld.28I.e.,we
areexpectedtoacknowledgethatasinglepersonobviouslydoesnothavethepowertoinfluencethewhole
world,andonlyoneinapositionofpoliticalpowercandoso.Forthisreason,Ihesitatetorewritethetextin
thiscase,andtrytothinkfurtherofwhatConfuciusmeant.
Forinstance,dowereallyknowwhatitisliketocompletelyovercomeourselfishnessforafullday,and
beperfectlyguidedbyproperaction?Iwouldliketosuggestthatperhapswedonotknowthelevelof
spiritualinfluencethatmaybebroughtaboutbytheactualizationofone'sinnerperfection.Also,inthecase
ofaruler:canpoliticalpowerinitselfmakethepeoplebecomegood?Itisdoubtful.
Thisisanimportantpassageinthatitshowsveryclearlyaworldviewthatiscommontoallthephilosophers
whoseworksarecontainedinthisvolume:aworldnotofisolatedmonads,butaworldthatismuchmore
transparent,unifiedandconnectedthanweofmodernityperceive.Wenowreturntothetext.
Yanyuanasked:MayIaskinfurtherdetailhowthisistobebroughtabout?Confuciussaid,Donotwatchwhatis
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 30/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
improperdonotlistentowhatisimproperdonotspeakimproperlyanddonotactimproperly.Yanyuansaid,
AlthoughIamnotsoperspicacious,Iwillapplymyselftothisteaching.
[12-2]
[12:2]ZhongGongaskedaboutthemeaningofren.TheMastersaid:Whenyouareoutintheworld,actas
ifmeetinganimportantguest.Employthepeopleasifyouwereassistingatagreatceremony.Whatyou
don'twantdonetoyourself,don'tdotoothers.Liveinyourtownwithoutstirringupresentments,andlivein
yourhouseholdwithoutstirringupresentments.ZhongGongsaid,AlthoughIamnotsosmart,Iwill
applymyselftothisteaching.
[12-3]
[12:3]SimaNiuaskedaboutthemeaningofren.
Confuciussaid,Therenmanishesitanttospeak.
Niureplied,Areyousayingthatrenismerehesitancyinspeaking?
Confuciussaid,Actualizingitissodifficult,howcanyounotbehesitanttospeakaboutit?
[12-4]
[12:4]SimaNiuaskedaboutthequalitiesofthenobleman.
Confuciussaid,Thenoblemanisfreefromanxietyandfear.
Niusaid,Freefromanxietyandfear?Isthisallittakestobeanobleman?
Confuciussaid,Ifyoureflectwithinyourselfandfindnothingtobeashamedof,howcouldyouhave
anxietyorfear?
[12-5]
[12:5]SimaNiu,upset,said:Everyonehasbrothers,Ialonehavenone.
ZiXiasaid,Ihaveheardthisproverb:
LifeanddeathareuptoFate.
WealthandhonorareheldbyHeaven.
Ifthenoblemanisreverentwithoutlapse,andcourteoustoeveryonewithintheframeofpropriety,
everythingwithinthefourseaswillbehisbrother.Whyshouldanoblemanbeconcernedaboutnothaving
brothers?
[12-6]
[12:6]ZiZhangaskedaboutthemeaningofenlightenment.
Confuciussaid,Onewhodoesnotexperiencethepermeationofslanderandwhoisnotagitatedby
accusationscancertainlybecalledenlightened.Indeed,suchapersonmaybecalledtranscendent.
[12-7]
[12:7]ZiGongaskedaboutgovernment.
TheMastersaid,Enoughfood,enoughweaponsandtheconfidenceofthepeople.
ZiGongsaid,Supposeyouhadnoalternativebuttogiveuponeofthesethree,whichonewouldbeletgo
offirst?
TheMastersaid,Weapons.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 31/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
ZiGongsaidWhatifyouhadtogiveuponeoftheremainingtwowhichonewoulditbe?
TheMastersaid,Food.Fromancienttimes,deathhascometoallmen,butapeoplewithoutconfidencein
itsrulerswillnotstand.
[12-8]
[12:8]JiZiZhangsaid:Allthenoblemanneedsistohavehissubstance.Whyshouldheneedexternal
refinement?
ZiGongsaid,Amazing!Youspeakaboutthenobleman,butateamofhorsescouldn'tkeepupwithyour
tongue.Refinementissubstancesubstanceisrefinement!Whenthehairistakenoffthehideofatigeror
leopard,itlooksthesameasthehideofadogorsheep.
[Comment]Thisisprobablythecleareststatementoftheunityofessenceandfunctionthatwecanseeinthe
Analects,butwithaninterestingtwist.Mostessencefunctionteachings,hereaswellasintheothertextsof
thisvolume,whileemphasizingunityofessenceandfunction,willstresstheneedforonetoplacehis/her
prioritiesonthemoreessential.Here,ontheotherhand,themessageisthatnomatterhowbright,clearor
sincereyouare,itcannotshowthroughproperlyifyoudon'tcultivateyourmannersandthevariousartsof
expression.ThisemphasisonpolishingtheoutsideissomethingthatwefindintheAnalectsmorethanin
othertexts.
[12-9]
[12:9]DukeAiaskedYouRuo:Ithasbeenayearoffamineandtherearenotenoughrevenuestorunthe
state.WhatshouldIdo?
Ruosaid,Whycan'tyouusea10%tax?
TheDukeanswered:Ican'tevengetbyona20%tax,howamIgoingtodoiton10%?
Ruosaid,Ifthepeoplehaveenough,whatprincecanbeinwant?Ifthepeopleareinwant,howcanthe
princebesatisfied?
[12-10]
[12:10]ZiChangaskedhowtoincreasevirtueanddispelconfusion.Confuciussaid,Baseyourselfin
loyaltyandtrustandpermeateyourselfwithfairness,andyourvirtuewillbeparamount.Wewantlifefor
thethingswelove,anddeathforthethingswehate.Butifwehavealreadydesiredlifeforsomethingand
nowwewantittodie,weareconfused.
Really,itwasnotforwealth.
Justforachange29
[12-11]
[12:11]DukeJingofQiaskedConfuciusaboutgovernment.Confuciusreplied:Lettherulerbearuler,
ministerbeaminister,fatherbeafather,sonbeason.TheDukesaid,Excellent!Indeed,iftherulerisnot
aruler,theministersnotministers,fathersnotfathersandsonsnotsons,evenifIhavefood,howcanIeat
it?
[12-12]
[12:12]TheMastersaid:Youisthekindofmanwhocouldsettleadisputewithasinglesentence.He
neverdelayedingivinghisanswer.30
[12-13]
[12:13]TheMastersaid:Inhearinglawsuits,Iamnobetterthananyoneelse.Whatweneedistohaveno
lawsuits.
[12-14]
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 32/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[12:14]Zizhangaskedaboutcarryingotpropergovernance.TheMastersaid:Stayinyourpositionwithout
wearyingcarryyourpoliciesguidedbyloyalty.
[12-15]
[12:15]TheMastersaid:Studyingliberalartsbroadly,anddiscipliningyourselfwithpropriety,itiseasyto
stayonthenarrowpath.
[12-16]
[12:16]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemandevelopspeople'sgoodpoints,nottheirbadpoints.Theinferior
mandoestheopposite.
[12-17]
[12:17]JiKangZiaskedConfuciusaboutgovernment.Confuciusrepliedsaying:Togovernmeansto
rectify.31Ifyouweretoleadthepeoplewithcorrectness,whowouldnotberectified?
[12-18]
[12:18]Beingrobbed,JiKangZiwasupset,andquestionedConfuciusaboutwhattodo.Confuciussaid,If
youweredesireless,theywouldn'tstealfromyou,evenifyouweretoofferthemarewardtodoso.
[12-19]
[12:19]JiKangZiaskedConfuciusaboutgovernmentsaying:SupposeIweretokilltheunjust,inorderto
advancethejust.Wouldthatbeallright?
Confuciusreplied:Indoinggovernment,whatistheneedofkilling?Ifyoudesiregood,thepeoplewillbe
good.Thenatureofthenoblemanislikethewind,thenatureoftheinferiormanislikethegrass.Whenthe
windblowsoverthegrass,italwaysbends.
[12-20]
[12:20]ZiZhangaskedwhatashishouldbelike,thathemaybecalledexcellent.
Confuciussaid,Whatdoyoumeanbyexcellent?
ZiZhangreplied:Itmeanstobefamousinyourtown,andfamousinyourclan.
Confuciussaid,Thisisfame,notexcellence.Onewhoisexcellenthasanuprightcharacterandloves
justice.Ifyoulistencarefullytowhatpeoplesay,observetheirfacialexpressionsandarecarefultobe
humbletothem,youwillbeexcellentinyourtown,andexcellentinyourclan.Asfarasfameis
concerned,ifyouputonashowofgoodnessanddootherwise,andarenottheleastbitbotheredindoingso,
youwillindeedbefamousinyourtownandfamousinyourclan.
[Comment]Inthispassage,excellenceisatranslationoftheChineseworddawhichhassucharangeof
meaninginClassicalEastAsianlanguages.Itsmostbasicmeaningistopenetrate,permeate,pierceorpass
through.Itisusedinreligiousandphilosophicalworkstodescribeaconsciousnessthatisabletopenetrate
allthingsandapprehendthem.Initsusageinthedescriptionoftheoperationofcauseandeffectinthe
externalworld,wecanseetheinherentunderstandingoftheancientsofaninterpermeatedworld,where
thingshaveaprofound,(evenifinvisible)effectoneachotherthroughtheirinterrelatedness.Itisnoaccident
thattheworddaanditssynonymtongbecomecentralintheHuayendescriptionoftheuniversea
millenniumlater.
[12-21]
[12:21]FanChi,whilestrollingwiththeMasteramongtheRainDancealtars,said,MayIaskhowto
heightenvirtue,overcomewickednessandresolvedelusion?
TheMastersaid,Anexcellentquestion!Ifyoutakecareofyourresponsibilitiesbeforeyouseekyourown
gain,won'tthisheightenyourvirtue?Ifyouattackyourownevilratherthantheevilofothers,won'tyou
overcomewickedness?If,becauseofamoment'sanger,youendangeryourownlife,aswellasthatofyour
parents,isthisnotdelusion?
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 33/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[12-22]
[12:22]FanChiaskedaboutthemeaningofren.
Confuciussaidloveothers.Heaskedaboutthemeaningofknowledge.
TheMastersaid,Knowothers.FanChicouldn'tgetit.
TheMastersaid,Ifyouputthehonestinpositionsofpoweranddiscardthedishonest,youwillforcethe
dishonesttobecomehonest.
FanChileftandseeingZiXiasaid,AlittlewhileagoIsawtheMasterandaskedhimaboutknowledge,
andhetoldme,Putthehonestinpositionsofpoweranddiscardthedishonest,andyouwillforcethe
dishonesttobehonest.Whatdidhemean?
ZiXiasaid,HowrichourMaster'swordsare!WhenShunwasemperor,heselectedKaoYaofromamong
thepeople,puthimincharge,andtheevilpeoplestayedfaraway.WhenT'angwasemperor,heselectedI
Yin,puthiminchargeandtheevilagainstayedfaraway.
[12-23]
[12:23]ZiGongaskedaboutthewayoffriendship.Confuciussaid,Speaktoyourfriendshonestly,and
skillfullyshowthemtherightpath.Ifyoucannot,thenstop.Don'thumiliateyourself.
[12-24]
[12:24]CengZisaid:Thenoblemanuseshisrefinementtomeethisfriends,andthroughhisfriends
developshisren.
13.
[13-1]
[13:1]ZiLuaskedabouthowtogovern.Confuciussaid,Leadthepeopleandworkhardforthem.
Isthereanythingelse?
Don'tgetdiscouraged.
[13-2]
[13:2]ZhongGong,currentlyservingasprimeministertotheheadoftheChifamily,askedabout
government.
Confuciussaid,Firstgetsomeofficersthengrantpardontoallthepettyoffensesandthenputvirtuousand
ablemenintopositionsofresponsibility.
Heasked,HowamIgoingtofindthesevirtuousandablementogetthemintothesepositions?
TheMastersaid,Selectfromthoseyouknow.Willthepeopleletyouignoretheonesyoudon'tknowof?
[13-3]
[13:3]ZiLusaid:TherulerofWeiisanticipatingyourassistanceintheadministrationofhisstate.What
willbeyourtoppriority?
Confuciussaid,Theremustbeacorrectionofterminology.
ZiLusaid,Areyouserious?Whyisthissoimportant?
Confuciussaid,Youarereallysimple,aren'tyou?Anoblemaniscautiousaboutjumpingtoconclusions
aboutthatwhichhedoesnotknow.
Ifterminologyisnotcorrected,thenwhatissaidcannotbefollowed.Ifwhatissaidcannotbefollowed,
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 34/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
thenworkcannotbeaccomplished.Ifworkcannotbeaccomplished,thenritualandmusiccannotbe
developed.Ifritualandmusiccannotbedeveloped,thencriminalpunishmentswillnotbeappropriate.If
criminalpunishmentsarenotappropriate,thepeoplecannotmakeamove.Therefore,thenoblemanneeds
tohavehisterminologyapplicabletoreallanguage,andhisspeechmustaccordwithhisactions.Thespeech
ofthenoblemancannotbeindefinite.
[13-4]
[13:4]FanChiwantedtoaskaboutagriculture.
Confuciussaid,Whydon'tyouaskanoldfarmer?
FanChithensaidthathewouldliketolearnaboutgardening.
Confuciussaid,Whydon'tyouaskanoldgardener?FanChileft.Confuciussaid,Fanisreallysimple,
isn'the?Ifthemeninchargelovepropriety,thepeoplecan'tstandtobedisrespectful.Ifthemenincharge
lovefairness,thenthepeoplecan'tstandnottofollowthem.Ifthemeninchargelovetrust,thenthepeople
cannotstandnottorespondwiththeiremotions.Ifyouweretogoverninthisway,thepeoplewouldcome
flockingtoyourkingdom,carryingtheirbabiesontheirbacks.Whydoyouhavetoworryabout
agriculture?
[13-5]
[13:5]TheMastersaid:Youcanrecitethe300poemsfromtheBookofOdes,butwhenyoutrytousethem
inadministration,theyarenoteffective(da),32andinhandlingtheouterlyingregions,youcannotapply
them,theneventhoughyouknowalot,whatgoodisit?
[13-6]
[13:6]TheMastersaid:Whenyouhavegottenyourownlifestraightenedout,thingswillgowellwithout
yourgivingorders.Butifyourownlifeisn'tstraightenedout,evenifyougiveorders,noonewillfollow
them.
[13-7]
[13:7]ThegovernmentsofLuandWeiareelderandyoungerbrothers.33
[13-8]
[13:8]ConfuciussaidofGongziJingofWeithathewasgoodatmanaginghishousehold.Whenhebegan
toaccumulateproperty,hesaiditseemstobeenough.Whenhehadalittlemore,hesaidthiswilldo.
Whenhebecamerich,hesaidthisisprettygood.
Comment:GongziJingwasaseniorofficialinthestateofWeihewassaidtobeexceptionallygoodat
handlingfinances.Thus,thispassagereflectshisselfcriticalattitudetowardhisownaccomplishment,
which,forsomeoneoflesserskills,wouldhavebeenmoreimpressive.
[13-9]
[13:9]RanYouwasdrivingfortheMasteronatriptoWei.Confuciussaid,Howpopulousitishere.
RanYousaid,Oncetherearesomanypeople,whatshouldbedone?
Enrichthem,saidtheMaster.
Oncetheyareenriched,whatnext?
Educatethem.
[13-10]
[13:10]TheMastersaid:Ifanyoftherulersweretoemployme,Iwouldhavecontrolofthesituation
withinamonth,andwouldhaveeverythingstraightenedoutwithinthreeyears.
[13-11]
[13:11]TheMastersaid:Ifgoodmenweretogovernacountryforahundredyears,theycouldovercome
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 35/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
crueltyanddoawaywithkilling.Howtruethissayingis!
[13-12]
[13:12]TheMastersaid:Evenifyouhavethepositionofkingship,itwouldstilltakeagenerationforren
toprevail.
[13-13]
[13:13]TheMastersaid:Ifyoucancorrectyourself,whatproblemwillyouhaveingoverning?Ifyoucan't
correctyourself,howcanyoucorrectothers?
[13-14]
[13:14]RanZireturnedfromcourt.TheMastersaidWhatkeptyou?Ranreplied:Ihadofficial
business.TheMastersaid,Itwasapersonalmatter,right?Ifitwereofficialbusiness,eventhoughIamno
longerdirectlyinvolved,Iwouldhaveheardaboutit.
[13-15]
[13:15]DukeDingaskediftherewereasinglephrasewhichcouldupliftacountry.
Confuciusreplied:Wordsinthemselvescannothavesuchaneffect.Nonetheless,thereisaproverbwhich
says,Beingarulerisdifficult,andbeingaministerisnoteasy.Ifyoureallyunderstandthedifficultiesof
rulership,mightthisnotbeenoughtoupliftacountry?
TheDukeaskedfurther:Isthisnotclosetothesayingthereasinglephrasewhichcouldruinacountry?
Confuciusanswered,Again,wordsinthemselvescannothavesuchaneffect,butthepeoplealsohavea
proverbwhichsays:IdonotenjoyrulingIonlyenjoypeoplenotdisagreeingwithme.Nowifyouarea
goodmanandnoonedisagreeswithyou,itisfine.Butifyouareevil,andnoonedisagreeswithyou,
perhapsyoucoulddestroythecountrywithasingleutterance.
[13-16]
[13:16]TheDukeofSheaskedaboutgovernment.Confuciussaid,Ifyoudoitright,thenthosecloseto
youwillbehappy,andthosewhoarefarawaywillcometoyou.
[13-17]
[13:17]ZiXia,whowasservingasgovernorofJufu,askedaboutgovernment.Confuciussaid,Don'tbe
impatient,anddon'tlookforsmalladvantages.Ifyouareimpatient,youwillnotbethorough(penetrating,
da).Ifyoulookforsmalladvantages,youwillneveraccomplishanythinggreat.
[13-18]
[13:18]TheDukeofShetoldConfucius:Inmyland,therearerighteousmen.Ifafatherstealsasheep,the
sonwilltestifyagainsthim.
Confuciussaid,Therighteousmeninmylandaredifferentfromthis.Thefatherconcealsthewrongsofhis
son,andthesonconcealsthewrongsofhisfather.Thisisthecorrectway!
[13-19]
[13:19]FanChiaskedaboutren.Confuciussaid,Benaturallycourteous,berespectfulinworkingfor
superiorsandbesinceretopeople.Eventhebarbariantribescannotdowithoutthis.
[13-20]
[13:20]ZiGongasked:Whatmustamanbeliketobecalledashi?
TheMastersaid,Onewhoinconductinghimselfmaintainsasenseofhonor,andwhowhensenttothefour
quartersoftheworlddoesnotdisgracehisprince'scommission,maybecalledashi.[...translation
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 36/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
incomplete]
[13-21]
[13:21]TheMastersaid:SinceIcan'tgetmenwhoactaccordingtothemiddleway,Imustfindthe
adamantandthecautious.Theadamantgoafterthings,thecautiousrestrainthemselvesfromdoingcertain
things.
[Comment]AdamantisatranslationofguangwhichcanalsobetranslatedintoEnglishas
crazy,wild,unbridledetc.,referringtothesortofpersonalityweoftenassociatewithpoets,painters
andmusicians.ImportantConfucianthinkerssuchasMenciusandWangYangmingunderstoodameasureof
uncontrollednesstobeausefulingredientofthepersonalityofthepersonwhowasstrivingfortheWay.
[13-22]
[13:22]TheMastersaid:TheSouthernershaveasaying:Ifamanisnotconstantinhisselfcultivation,he
cannotbeashamanorahealer.Itisagoodproverb.Ifyouarenotconsistentlydevelopingyourvirtue,
whatcanyougivetoothers?Youwillnotevenbeabletogiveadiagnosis.
[13-23]
[13:23]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanisinharmonybutdoesnotfollowthecrowd.Theinferiorman
followsthecrowd,butisnotinharmony.
[13-24]
[13:24]ZiGongasked:Whatdoyouthinkifallthepeopleintownlikesomeone?
Nottoogood,saidConfucius.
Whatiftheyallhateyou?
Alsonottoogood.Itisbetterifthegoodpeopleintownlikeyou,andtheeviloneshateyou.
[13-25]
[13:25]TheMastersaid:Thereasonthatthenoblemaniseasytoworkfor,butdifficulttoplease,is
becauseifyoutrytopleasehimbydeviousmeans,hewillnotbehappy.Andinhisemploymentofpeople,
hegivesthemworkaccordingtotheirability.Theinferiormanisdifficulttoworkfor,buteasytoplease.
Evenifyouhaveuseddeviousmeanstopleasehim,hewillstillbehappy.Andinhisemploymentof
people,hetriestosqueezeeverythingoutofthemthathecan.
[13-26]
[13:26]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanisselfconfidentwithoutbeingarrogant.Theinferiormanis
arrogantandlacksselfconfidence.
[13-27]
[13:27]TheMastersaid:Withfirmness,strength,simplicityandcautioninspeaking,youwillbecloseto
ren.
[13-28]
[13:28]ZiLuasked:Whatsortofmandeservestobecalledashi?
Confuciussaid,Ifyouaredecisive,kindandgentle,youcanbecalledashi.Withfriends,theshiisclear
butkind.Withhisbrothersheisgentle.
[13-29-30]
[13:2930]TheMastersaid:Onlywhengoodmenhaveinstructedthepeopleforsevenyears,maythey
takeuparms.Toleaduntrainedpeopleintobattleisthesameasthrowingthemaway.
14.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 37/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[14-1]
[14:1]Xianaskedaboutwhatisshameful.Confuciussaid,WhentheWayprevailsinyourstate,tobe
concernedaboutyoursalaryisshameful.WhentheWayisabsentinyourstate,tobeconcernedaboutyour
salaryisshameful.
Xianasked:Whenoneisnotmotivatedbyarrogance,pride,resentmentanddesire,canbeheconsidered
humane?
Confuciussaid,Thiscancertainlybecalleddifficult,butIdon'tknowifitcanbecalledren.
[14-2]
[14:2]TheMastersaid:Ashiwhoisaddictedtocomfortshouldnotbecalledashi.
[14-3]
[14:3]TheMastersaid:Whenthegovernmentisjust,youmayspeakboldlyandactboldlywhenyouhave
anunjustgovernment,youmayactboldly,butbecarefulofwhatyousay.
[14-4]
[14:4]TheMastersaid:Thevirtuouswillcertainlyhavesomethingtosay,butthosewhohavesomething
tosayarenotnecessarilyvirtuous.Therenmanisalwaysbrave,butthebravemanisnotnecessarily
possessedofren.
[14-5]
[14:5]NanGongguosaidtoConfucius:YiwasskillfulatarcheryandAoshookawholeship34butneither
diedanaturaldeath.YouandJididtheirownfarmingandendedupasemperors.
Confuciusdidn'tanswer.
WhenNanGongguoleft,Confuciussaid,Hereisanobleman,amanofenhancedvirtue.
[14-7]
[14:7]TheMastersaid:Therearesomecaseswhereanoblemanmaynotbeaperfectlyhumaneman,but
therearenocaseswhereaninferiormanisaperfectlyhumaneman.
[14-8
[14:8]TheMastersaid:Canyoulovesomeonewithoutexertingyourselfforthem?Canyoubesincereto
someonewithoutteachingthem?
[14-11
[14:11]TheMastersaid:Tobepoorwithoutresentmentisdifficult.Toberichwithoutarroganceiseasy.
[14-12
[14:12]ZiLuaskedwhatconstitutesaperfectedman.
Confuciussaid:IfyouhavethewisdomofZangWuZhong,thedesirelessnessofGongChuo,thecourage
ofBianZhuangZiandtheabilitiesofZanQiu,andarealsorefinedthroughproprietyandmusic,youmight
indeedbecalledaperfectedman.Butifyouwanttoperfectyourselfrightnow,whywouldyouneedallof
that?Whenyouseeanopportunityforadvantage,thinkofwhatwouldbetherightthingtodo.Encountering
danger,leaveituptodestiny.Whenyoucanstayindifficultyforalongtime,andnotforgetthewordsthat
haveyouhavelivedby,youcanberegardedasaperfectedman.35
[14-13]
[14:14]TheMasteraskedGongMingjiaaboutGongshuWenZi:Isittruethatyourmasterdoesn'tspeak,
doesn'tlaughanddoesn'tacceptanything?
GongMingjiareplied,Thisisanexaggeration.Mymasterspeakswhenitisappropriate,andpeoplenever
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 38/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
gettiredofhiswords.Helaughswhenheishappy,andpeoplenevertireofhislaughter.Hetakeswhenitis
righttodoso,andpeoplenevergettiredofhistaking.
Confuciussaid,Isthisso?Isitreallyso!?
[14-15]
[14:15]TheMastersaid:DukeWenofJin36wasdevious,andnotupright.DukeHuanofQi37wasupright,
andnotdevious.
[14-16]
[14:16]ZiLusaid,WhenHuanGongassassinatedGongziJiu,38ZhaoHu39followedhimtohisdeath,but
GuanZhong40didnot.HehadnotfullydevelopedhisHumaneness,hadhe?TheMastersaid:WhenHuan
Gongunifiedthenobles,itwasnotthroughmilitaryforce,butbytheeffortsofGuanZhong.Howaboutthis
levelofHumaneness?
[14-17]
[14:17]ZiGongsaid:GuanZhongwasnotatrulygoodmanwhenHuanGongexecuted[hisownbrother]
GongZiJiu,hewasnotonlyincapableofdyingalongwithhislordhebecameHuan'sminister.
Confuciussaid:WhenGuanZhongservedHuanGongasminister,hemadehimleaderofthenoblesand
straightenedoutthedisorderintherealm.Thepeoplearebenefitingfromthisdowntothepresentday.Ifnot
forGuanZhong,wewouldallbelikeunkemptbarbarians,wearingourhairoverourfacesandfasteningour
clothesontheleft.41Shallweexercisethesincerityofsimplepeople,whowouldhangthemselvestodeath
inaditch,withnooneknowingaboutit?
[14-18]
[14:18]TheministerZhuanofGongshuWenzirosetotherankofcourtofficertogetherwithWenzi.When
theMasterheardofithesaid:Hecertainlydeservedtheappellationofrefined.!
[14-19]
[14:19]ConfuciuswasspeakingabouttheevilsofDukeLingofWei.
KangZisaid,Ifheissuchaperson,howcanhestayinpower?
Confuciussaid,ZhongshuYoutakescareofhis(KangZi's)guestspreacherTuohandlesthetemplesand
WangSunjiaishismilitarycommander.Withministerslikethese,howcouldhefallfrompower?
[14-20]
[14:20]TheMastersaid:Ifyourwordsarenothumble,itwillbedifficulttoputthemintoaction.
[14-21]
[14:21]murdered.Confuciusbathedandwenttocourt,reportingontheincidenttoDukeAi,
saying:ChenHenghasmurderedhislordIrequestthatyouchastisehim.TheDukereplied:Reportitto
thechiefsofthethreefamilies.Confuciussaid:SinceIfollowingintherearofthegrandmasters,Ihave
norecoursebuttoreport.Myrulerhassaid,Reportittothechiefsofthethreefamiliesandthethreechiefs
havesaidthatthereisnothingthatcanbedone.Confuciussaid:SinceIfollowintherearofthe
grandmasters,Ihadnorecoursebuttoreport.
[14-22]
[14:22]ZiLuaskedhowtodealwitharuler.Confuciussaid,Ifyouhavetoopposehim,don'tdoitby
deceit.
[14-23]
[14:23]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanpenetratesthatwhichisabove.Theinferiormanpenetratesthat
whichisbelow.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 39/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[14-24]
[14:24]TheMastersaid:Theancientscholarsstudiedfortheirownimprovement.Modernscholarsstudy
toimpressothers.
[14-25]
[14:25]QuBaoyusentamessengertoConfucius.Confuciussatdownwithhimandaskedhim,saying:
Whatisyourmasterlike?Themessengerreplied:Mymasterwantstodecreasehisfaults,butisnotable
todoso.Themessengerleft,andConfuciussaid:Whatamessenger!Whatamessenger!
[14-26]
[14:26]TheMastersaid:Ifyoudon'thaveanofficialposition,youshouldnotmakeplansfor
administration.CengZisaid:Thenoblemandoesn'tworryaboutthosethingswhichareoutsideofhis
control.
[14-27]
[14:27]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanishumbleinhisspeechbutsuperbinhisactions.
[14-28]
[14-29]
[14:29]ZiGongwascorrectingpeople.Confuciussaid,Si(ZiGong)mustbequitetalented!Ihaveno
sparetimetodothis.
[14-30]
[14:30]TheMastersaid:Idon'tworryaboutbeingunknown.Iworryaboutmylackofability.
[14-31]
[14:31]TheMastersaid:Ifyoudon'ttrytoanticipatedeception,andyoudon'tplanforyournotbeing
believed,yetarethefirsttobeawareofthesethings,aren'tyouaworthy?
[14-32]
[14:32]WeishengMousaidtoConfucius:Whyareyousobusyrunningaroundfromplacetoplace?Isit
notthatyoubeaflatterer?Confuciussaid,Iwouldn'tdarepracticeflattery,itisjustthatIdespise
stubbornness.
[14-33]
[14:33]TheMastersaid:Areallyexcellenthorseiscalledsuchnotsimplybecauseofitsphysicalstrength,
butbecauseofitscharacter.42
[14-34]
[14:34]Someonesaid:Whatdoyouthinkofthesaying:Repayharmwithvirtue?
Confuciusreplied,Thenhowwillyourepayvirtue?RepayharmwithJustice43andrepayvirtuewith
virtue.
[14-35]
[14:35]TheMastersaid:Aah!Nooneunderstandsme!
ZiGongsaid,Whatdoyoumean,Nooneunderstandsyou?
Confuciussaid,IhavenoresentmentagainstHeaven,noquarrelwithmen.Istudyfromthebottomand
penetratetothetop.Whounderstandsme?Heavendoes!
[14-36]
[14:36]GongBoliaohadsaidbadthingsaboutZiLutoLisun.ZifuJingbotoldConfuciusaboutit,saying:
Lisun(Jingbo'steacher)iscertainlybeingdeceivedbyGongBoliao.ButIhaveenoughpowertodraghis
carcassoutintothemiddleofthemarketplace.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 40/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
Confuciussaid,ItisuptofateastowhentheWayisgoingtofunction,andwhenitisn't.WhatcanGong
Boliaodoaboutfate?
[14-37]
[14:37]TheMastersaid:Aworthybecomesfreeoftheworld,thenhebecomesfreeofhislandthenhe
becomesfreefromlustthenhebecomesfreefromlanguage.
[14-37]
[14:38]TheMastersaid:Theworthyavoidsocietynext,theyavoidservicetoaparticularstatenext,they
leavewhenconfrontedwithadisrespectfulattitudenext,theyleavetoavoidabusivewords.Therewere
sevenwhodidthis.
Comment:ThispassageisonethatreflectssomeoverlapbetweenConfucianandDaoistvalues.
NormallyConfucianismisunderstoodasatraditionwhereonemustremainengagedinsociety.However,in
thiscase,Confucius'attitudeisreminiscentofthatofZhuangzi,whoalwaysrecommendedthatintelligent
peoplenotacceptthenormsofadecadentworld,andretireinsolitudeinstead.
[14-38]
[14:38]ZiLuwasstayingatouterstonegate(ofthecapitalQufu),themorningguardsaid,whereareyou
from?ZiLuanswered:IcamefromtheplacewhereConfuciusisstaying.Theguardsaid,Aah,theone
whotriestodowhatcan'tbedone.
[14-39]
[14:39]ConfuciuswasplayingthejadechimeswheninWei.AmanwhopassedbyConfucius'door
carryingabucket,saidYoureallyaredeterminedIcanhearyourplayingofthechimes!Afterabit,he
said,Howstubbornyouare,playinglikethis!Ifnooneunderstands,juststop!Whenthewaterisdeep,
justplungein.Whenit'sshallow,raiseyourskirt.Confuciussaid:Thatwouldbedecisiveandnot
difficult!
[14-40]
[14:40]ZiZhangsaid:TheBookofHistorysays:Gaozongstayedinmourningforthreeyearswithout
speaking.Whydidhedothis?Confuciussaid:ItneednotbeGaozong.Theancientswerealllikethis.
Aftertherulerdied,alloftheofficialstookordersfromtheMinisterofStateforthreeyears.
[14-41]
[14:41]TheMastersaid:Ifthoseinpowerlovepropriety,thepeoplewillbeeasytomanage.
[14-42]
[14:42]ZiLuaskedaboutthequalitiesofthenobleman.Confuciussaid,Hecultivateshimselfby
comfortingothers.
Isthatall?
Hecultivateshimselfbycomfortingeveryone.Now,thisissomethingthatevenYaoandShunfound
difficult.
[14-43]
[14:43]YuanrangwaswaitingfortheMasterinasprawledoutposition.
Confuciussaid,Tobeyoungandnotactlikeajuniortobematureandhavenothingtopassontogetold
andnotdie:aparasite!Hewhackedhimontheshinswithhisstaff.
[14-44]
[14:44]AboyfromthevillageofQuewasworkingasamessenger.SomeoneaskedConfucius,Ishe
developing?Confuciussaid,Icanseethathelikestositingrownup'splaces,andlikestobebuddieswith
hiselders.Butheisnotseekingtodevelophimself.Hewantstogrowuptooquickly.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 41/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
15.
[15-1]
[15:1]DukeLingofWeiaskedConfuciusaboutmilitarytactics.
Confuciussaid,Iknowaboutthehandlingofritualsacrifices,butIhavenotstudiedstrategy.
[15-2]
Thenextday,heandhisdisciplescontinuedtheirtravels.BythetimetheygottoChen,theyhadrunoutof
provisions,andZiLuwasobviouslyangryaboutit.Hesaid,Mustthenoblemansuffersuchdirestraits?
Confuciussaid,Thenoblemanremainsstablewhenindirestraits.Theinferiormanfallsapart.
[15-3]
[15:3]Confuciussaid,Si,doyouthinkthatIamapersonwhostudieswidelyandmemorizesallofit?
Sireplied,Itseemsthatway.Butperhapsnot?
Confuciussaid,Theanswerisno.Ipenetrateallwithone.
[15-4]
[15:4]TheMastersaid:You,thosewhounderstandvirtuearefewandfarbetween.
[15-5]
[15:5]TheMastersaid:CannotShunbeconsideredasonewhogovernedwithoutoverreaching(wuwei)?
Whatdidhedo?HepermeatedhimselfwithcourtesyandcorrectlyfacedSouth.
[15-6]
[15:6]ZiZhangaskedaboutcorrectbehavior.Confuciussaid:Ifyourspeechissincereandhonest,and
yourwayofcarryingyourselfisearnestandreverent,suchbehaviorwillworkevenifyouliveamongthe
SouthernandNorthernbarbarians.Butifyourspeechisinsincereanddishonestandyourwayofcarrying
yourselfisneitherearnestnorreverent,thenevenifyouliveinyourhometown,youwillhaveproblems.
ZhiZhangwrotethesewordsdownonhissash.
[15-7]
[15:7]TheMastersaid:TheHistoriographerYuwastrulyofstraightcharacter.Whenthegovernmentwas
just,hewaslikeanarrow.Whenthegovernmentwasunjust,hewaslikeanarrow.
QuBoyuisdefinitelyanobleman.Whenthegovernmentisjust,hewillhaveapositioninit.Whenthe
governmentisunjusthecanrolluphisprinciplesandkeeptheminhisbreast.
[15-8]
[15:8]TheMastersaid:Whenapersonshouldbespokenwith,andyoudon'tspeakwiththem,youlose
them.Whenapersonshouldn'tbespokenwithandyouspeaktothem,youwasteyourwords.Thewisedo
notlosepeople,nordotheywastetheirwords.
[15-9]
[15:9]TheMastersaid:Theearnestofficerwithatrulyhumanemind(ren)willnotsavehislifeifit
requireshimtosacrificeofhishumaneness.Hewillevensacrificehimselftoconsummatehishumaneness.
[15-10]
[15:10]ZiGongaskedabouthumaneness.Confuciussaid,Whenacraftsmanwantstodoanicepieceof
work,hewillalwayssharpenhistoolsfirst.Whenyouliveinacertaindistrict,getintotheserviceofthe
mostworthyofficers,andseekfriendsamongscholarswhoaresteepedinhumaneness.
[15-11]
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 42/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[15:11]YanYuanaskedaboutgoverningthestate.Confuciussaid:UsethecalendarofXiarideinthe
statecarriageofYinweartheceremonialcapofZhouformusic,playthatofShaoandWu.Getridofthe
musicofZhengkeepdistancefromflatterersthemusicofZhengislewdflatterersaredangerous.
[15-12]
[15:12]TheMastersaid:Ifamanisnotfarsighted,thentroubleisimpending.
[15-13]
[15:13]TheMastersaid:Expectmuchfromyourselfandlittlefromothersandyouwillavoidincurring
resentments.
[15-14]
[15:14]TheMastersaid:DidnotZangWenzhongstealthechancesofothersforaposition?Heknewthe
abilityofLiuXiahui,butdidnotrecommendhim.
[15-16]
[15:16]TheMastersaid:Ifamandoesn'tcontinuallyquestion,Whatisit?Whatisit?Idon'tknowwhatI
candoforhim.
[Comment]Ifastudentisnotseriouslyandgenuinelyconcernedaboutthedeeperquestionsoflife,itisvery
hardtoteachher/himanythingofvalue.
[15-17]
[15:17]TheMastersaid:Whenacircleofpeoplecanspendthewholedaytogetherwithouttheir
conversationevertouchingonjustice,andtheyliketoactaccordingtosmallmindedwisdom,whatcanbe
done?
[15-18]
[15:18]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemantakesjusticeasessential.Heactualizesitthroughpropriety,
demonstratesitinhumility,developsitbytruthfulness.Thisisthenobleman!
[15-19]
[15:19]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemansuffersfromhisownlackofability,notfromlackofrecognition.
[15-20]
[15:20]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanisconcernedaboutthekindofreputationhewillhaveafterhe
passesaway.
[15-21]
[15:21]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanseekswithinhimself.Theinferiormanseekswithinothers.
[15-22
[15:22]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanstrivesbutdoesnotwrangle.Hehasfriends,butdoesn'tbelongto
aclique.
[15-23]
[15:23]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemandoesnotpromoteamanbecauseofhiswords,anddoesnot
disregardthewordsbecauseoftheman.
[15-24]
[15:24]ZiGongasked:Isthereasingleconceptthatwecantakeasaguidefortheactionsofourwhole
life?
Confuciussaid,Whataboutfairness?Whatyoudon'tlikedonetoyourself,don'tdotoothers.
[15-25]
[15:25]TheMastersaid:Amongpeople,whoshouldIcriticizeandwhoshouldIpraise?IfIpraise
someoneitisbecauseIhavehadsomewayoftestinghim.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 43/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
ThepresentcommonpeoplearethesamematerialwithwhichtherulersoftheThreeDynasties44
manifestedthecorrectWay.
[15-26]
[15:26]TheMastersaid:Istilllookforthescribewhowouldleavesomespaceinthetext,andtheman
whowouldlendothershishorsetoride.Nowadayssuchnicetiesaregone!
[15-27]
[15:27]TheMastersaid:Cleverwordsdisruptvirtue.Lackofpatienceinsmallmattersleadstothe
disruptionofgreatplans.
[15-28]
[15:28]TheMastersaid:Ifeverybodyhatessomething,you'dbettercheckintoit.Ifeverybodyloves
something,you'dbettercheckintoit.
[15-29]
[15:29]TheMastersaid:Itisthepersonwhounfoldstheway.Itisnotthewaythatunfoldstheperson.
[15-30]
[15:30]TheMastersaid:Tomakeamistakeandnotcorrectit:thisisarealmistake.
[15-31]
[15:31]TheMastersaid:Ihavespentawholedaywithouteatingandawholenightwithoutsleepingin
ordertothinkbutIgotnothingoutofit.Thinkingcannotcomparewithstudying.
[15-32]
[15:32]TheMastersaid:ThenoblemanindulgesintheWayanddoesnotindulgeinhisstomach.Doesn't
agriculturehavetheavoidanceofstarvationasitsmotivatingfactor,andstudyhaveenrichmentasits
motivatingfactor?ThenoblemanisconcernedaboutfollowingtheWay,andisnotconcernedabout
avoidingpoverty.
[15-33]
[15:33]TheMastersaid:Ifyourwisdomcangraspit,butyourrenisincapableofmaintainingit,even
thoughyouhavegraspedit,youwillcertainlyloseit.Ifyourwisdomgraspsitandyourrenissufficientto
maintainit,butyoudon'tmanifestit,thepeoplewillnotrevereyou.Ifyourwisdomgraspsit,yourrenis
sufficienttomaintainit,andyoumanifestitbutdon'tactaccordingtopropriety,youarestillnotperfect.
[Comment]ThisisadecidedlyConfucianperspectiveontheunityofessenceandfunction,similartothat
expressedin12:8.Evenwithadeepunderstandingofreality(essence)andaconcomitantreflectioninthe
person,externalpolishisstillnecessarytobeacompletehumanbeing.
[15-34]
[15:34]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemancannotactwithintheframeworkoflesserwisdom,buthecan
handlemajoraffairs.Theinferiormancannothandlemajoraffairs,buthecanactwithintheframeworkof
lesserwisdom.
[15-35]
[15:35]TheMastersaid:Thepeoplearemoreinaweofrenthanwaterorfire.ButIhaveseenpeopletread
onwaterorfireanddie.Ihaveneverseensomeonewalkthepathofrenanddie.
[15-36]
[15:36]TheMastersaid:Itisbettertovaluerenthantopassivelyfollowyourteacher.
[15-37]
[15:37]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanisprecise,butnotrigid.
[15-38]
[15:38]TheMastersaid:Inservingyourruler,youshouldbeconcernedaboutyourservicetohimfirst
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 44/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
yourcompensationfortheworkshouldbeasecondarymatter.
[15-39]
[15:39]TheMastersaid:Inteachingpeople,thereisnodiscrimination(ofclass,type,etc.)
[15-40]
[15:40]TheMastersaid:Ifyourpathsaredifferent,youcannotmakeplanstogether.
[15-41]
[15:41]TheMastersaid:Speakenoughtomakethepoint,andthenleaveitatthat.
16.
[16-1]
[16:1]TheJifamilywasabouttoattackZhuanyu.RanYou(RanQiu)andJiLu(Zilu)wenttosee
Confucius,saying:TheJifamilyisgettingreadytomoveagainstZhuanyu.Confuciussaid,Qiu,areyou
notatfaultforthis?SinceancienttimestheformerkingshavemaintainedZhuanyuasthesiteofthe
sacrificeatDongMengmountain.Moreover,itislocatedwithinourowncountry,andhasservedasthesite
ofournationalaltarstothesoilandgrainwhyshoulditbeattacked?RanYousaid,Itisourlordwho
wantstodothisitisnotwetwoministerswhowantit.
Confuciussaid,Qiu,thereisasayingofZhouRen:Theonewhodisplayshispoweristheonewhogets
thepositionthosewhoarenotcapablegiveup.Ifaministerdoesnotsupporthislordwhenheisindanger,
orsupporthimwhenheisabouttofall,thenwhatuseishe?Moreover,whatyouaresayingiswrong.When
atigerorwildbuffalo45escapesfromthecage,orthetortoiseshellandjadearedestroyedintheircases,
whosefaultisthis?RanYousaid,Now,ZhuanyuisstronglyfortifiedandclosetoBi.46Ifwedon'tseizeit
now,therewillbetroubleforthelatergenerations.Confuciussaid,Qiu,theNobleMandoesnotlikethe
onewhodeclinestosaywhathereallywantsandwhomustthenmakeexcuseslater.
Ihaveheardthattheheadsofstatesornoblefamiliesdonotworryoverpovertybutinsteadoverequal
distributionofwealththeydonotworryoverunderpopulation,butwhetherthepeopleareinsecure.47Now,
ifthereisequalityindistributiontherewillbenopovertyifthereisharmonyinsocietytherewillbeno
underpopulation,andifthereissecurity,therewillbesubversion.Ifitdonelikethis,theniftherearedistant
subjectswhodonotsubmit,youcanattractthembycultivatingrefinementandvirtue.Oncetheycome,then
youcangivethemsecurity.NowYouandQiu,servingasadvisorstoyourlord,havedistantsubjectswho
willnotsubmit,andyouareunabletoattractthemthecountryisfallingapart,andyoucandonothingto
preserveit.Yetyounowplanmilitaryactionwithinyourownstate.Iamafraidthatthetroubleofthe
descendantsofJiliesnotinZhuanyu,butrather,withintheconfinesofourowncourt.
[16-2]
[16:2]TheMastersaid:WhentheWay(justgovernment)prevailsintherealm,thenritual,musicand
militarycampaignsareallinitiatedbytheemperor.WhentheWaydeclinesintherealm,thenritual,music
andmilitarycampaignsareinitiatedbythenobles.Whenthesethingsareinitiatedbythenobles,theruling
housewillusuallyloseitspowerwithintengenerations.Whenthesethingsareinitiatedbythehigh
ministers,therulinghousewillusuallyloseitspowerwithinfivegenerations.Whentheyareinitiatedbythe
lowerofficers,therulinghousewillloseitspowerwithinthreegenerations.WhentheWayprevailsinthe
realm,thecommonpeopledonotdebatepoliticsamongthemselves.
[16-3]
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 45/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[16:4]Confuciussaid,Ithasbeenfivegenerationssincetheassignmentofemolumentslefttheducal
house.IthasbeenfourgenerationssincethegovernmentcameundercontroloftheCouncilors.Therefore
thedescendantsofthethreeHuan48havebeenindecline.
[16-4]
[16:4]TheMastersaid:Therearethreekindsoffriendshipwhicharebeneficialandthreekindsof
friendshipwhichareharmful.Friendshipwiththehonest,friendshipwiththesincere,andfriendshipwith
thelearnedareallbeneficial.Friendshipwiththedeceptive,friendshipwiththeunprincipled,andfriendship
withsmoothtalkersareharmful.
[16-5]
[16:5]TheMastersaid:Therearethreekindsofenjoymentwhicharebeneficialandthreekindsof
enjoymentwhichareharmful.Theenjoymentofcultivationinmusicandritual,theenjoymentofspeaking
ofthegoodnessofothersandtheenjoymentofbeingsurroundedbyfriendsofgoodcharacterareall
beneficial.Theenjoymentofarrogance,theenjoymentofdissipationandtheenjoymentofcomfortareall
harmful.
[16-6]
[16:6]TheMastersaid:Therearethreecommonmistakesmadebythosewhoareofrank:
(1)Tospeakwhenthereisnothingtobesaidthisisimprudence.
(2)Tobesilentwhenthereissomethingtobesaidthisisdeception.
(3)Tospeakwithoutpayingattentiontotheexpressionontheperson'sfacethisiscalledblindness.
[16-7]
[16:7]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanisonguardagainstthreethings:
(1)Whenheisayoungmanandhisphysicalenergiesarenotyetsettled,heisonguardagainstlust.
(2)Whenheismatureandhisphysicalenergyissolid,heisonguardagainstbeingdrawnintoafight.
(3)Whenheisold,andhisphysicalpowerisweakened,heisonguardnottoclingtohisattainments.
[16-8]
[16:8]TheMastersaid:Thenoblemanstandsinaweofthreethings:
(1)HeisinaweofthedecreeofHeaven.
(2)Heisinaweofgreatmen.
(3)Heisinaweofthewordsofthesages.
TheinferiormandoesnotknowthedecreeofHeavenhetakesgreatmenlightly,andlaughsatthewordsof
thesages.
[16-9]
[16:9]TheMastersaid:Thosewhoarebornknowingitarethebest.Thosewhostudytoknowitarenext
thosewhoarelimitedandyetstudyarenextthosewhoarelimitedanddonotevenstudyareconsideredto
bethelowestlevelofpeople.
[16-10]
[16:10]TheMastersaid:Thereareninepatternswhichareawarenessesofthenobleman.Inseeing,heis
awareofclarityinlistening,heisawareofsharpnessinfaces,isawareofwarmthintheattitudehe
projects,heisawareofcourtesyinspeech,sincerityinservice,reverence.Indoubt,heisinclinedto
questionwhenangry,heisawareofthedifficultiesthatmayensue.Whenheseesanopportunityforgain,
hethinksofwhatwouldbeJust.
[16-11]
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 46/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[16:11]Confuciuscitedtheproverb:
IregardgoodnessassomethingIhaven'tattained.Iregardevilasmydeepwellingspring.
andsaid,Ihaveseenthiskindofpersonandhaveheardthesewords.Butasfor:
Ihidemyselfawayinordertofathommyownwill.IactwithfairnesstopenetratetheWay.
Ihaveheardthissaid,buthaven'tseenthiskindofperson.
[16-12]
[16:12]DukeChingofQihadathousandteamsofhorses,butwhenhedied,therewasnothingforwhich
thepeoplecouldpraisehim.BoYiandShuQidiedofstarvationatthefootofShouyangmountain,andthe
peoplepraisethemuptillthisday.Whatmeaningcanyougleanfromthis?
[16-13]
[16:13]ChenkangaskedBoyu(Confucius'son):Haveyouheardanythingfromyourfatherdifferentthan
wediscipleshave?
Boyureplied,Notyet.Once,whenmyfatherwasstandingbyhimself,Ipassedbythehallquickly,andhe
said,HaveyoulearnedtheBookofOdesyet?Isaid,Notyet.SoIwentandstudiedtheBookofOdes.On
anotherday,thesamesceneoccurred,andheaskedme,HaveyoulearnedtheRecordofProprietyyet?I
said,Notyet.Hesaid,Ifyoudon'tlearnproprietyyouwillhavenostructure.SoIwentandstudiedthe
Propriety.Ihaveonlyheardthesetwothings.
Chenkangleft,elated,saying,Iquestionedononethingandgotthree!IlearnedaboutthePoems,Ilearnedaboutthe
ProprietyandIlearnedthatthenoblemanisnotpartialtohisson.
17.
[17-1]
[17:1]YangHuowantedtoseeConfuciusbutConfuciuswouldnotseehim,sohesentConfuciusapigletas
apresent.ConfuciustimedhisvisitofthankswhenYangHuowasnotathome.Theyhappenedtomeeton
theroad,andYangsaidtoConfucius,Come,Iwanttohaveawordwithyou.Andhesaid,Hidingone's
treasureinone'sbosomandlettingone'scountryloseitswaycansuchaonebecalledtrulyhumane?
Confuciusresponded,No,hecan't.Likingtobeinvolvedinpublicaffairsbutalwaysmissingthetiming
canhebecalledwise?No,hecan't.Thedaysandmonthsslipaway,andtimeisnotonourside.
Confuciussaid,Ok,I'lltakethejob.
Comment:AsomewhatunusualnarrativeintheAnalects,asConfuciusclearlylosestheargumenttoahighermoral
ground,acceptingjudgment,atthesametimeadmittinghisdeepdesiretoservethegovernment.
[17-2]
[17:2]TheMastersaid:Peoplearesimilarbynature,butthroughhabituationbecomequitedifferentfrom
eachother.Confuciussaid:Onlythemostwiseandthemostfoolishdonotchange.
[17-3]
[17:3]WhentheMasterwenttoWuChengheheardthesoundofsingingaccompaniedbylutes,helaughed
abitandsaid,Whywouldoneneedanoxcleavertokillachicken?ZiYureplied,Inthepast,Iheard
yousaying,IftheNobleManlearnstheWay,hewillcareaboutpeople.IfregularpeoplelearntheWay,
theybecomeeasytoemploy.Confuciussaid,Mydisciple,Yanisright.WhatIsaidbeforewasonlya
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 47/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
joke.
[17-4]
[17:4]GongshanFurao,stagingarebellionfromBi[againsttheJifamily],sentaninvitationtoConfucius,
andtheMasterwantedtogo.ZiLu,displeasedwiththis,said,Indeedwemayhavenowheretogo,butwhy
mustwegotoseeGongshan?Confuciussaid,Ifsomeinvitesme,howcoulditbeatotalwaste?Ifthereis
someonewhoiswillingtomakeuseofme,shallInotmakehislandanEasternZhou?
[17-5]
[17:5]ZiZhangaskedConfuciusaboutfundamentalhumangoodness.Confuciussaid,Ifyoucanpractice
thesefivethingswithallthepeople,youcanbecalledafundamentallygoodperson.
ZiZhangaskedwhattheywere.
Confuciussaid,Courtesy,generosity,honesty,persistence,andkindness.Ifyouarecourteous,youwillnot
bedisrespectedifyouaregenerous,youwillgaineverything.Ifyouarehonest,peoplewillrelyonyou.If
youarepersistentyouwillgetresults.Ifyouarekind,youcanemploypeople.
[17-6]
[17:6]TheMastersaid:You,haveyouheardthesixphrasesaboutthesixdistortions?Youansweredthat
hehadn't.Thenstayamoment,Confuciussaid,andIwilltellyou.
Ifyoulovebeingkindtoothers,butdon'tliketostudy,thenyourkindnesswillbedistortedintosimplicity.
Ifyoulovewisdom,butdon'tliketostudy,thenyourwisdomwillbedistortedintoaimlessness.
Ifyoulovetrustworthiness,butdon'tliketostudy,thenyourtrustwillbedistortedintoharm.
Ifyoulovecandor,butdon'tliketostudy,yourcandorwillbedistortedintorudeness.
Ifyouloveboldness,butdon'tliketostudy,yourboldnesswillbedistortedintounruliness.
Ifyoulovepersistence,butdon'tliketostudy,yourpersistencewillbedistortedintorashness.
[17-7]
[17:7]BiXiinvitedConfucius[tocomeandserveinhisadministration],andConfuciuswantedtogo.ZiLu
said,Didn'tIoncehearyousaythattheNobleManwillnotentertheplaceofonewhohasassociated
himselfwithevil?BiXihastakenZhongmou49againstitswill,sohowcantheMastergothere?Confucius
said,Indeed,Ididsaysuchathing.Butisitnotsaidthatifyoupolishsomethinghard,itwillnotwear
thin?Anditisnotsaidthatifsomethingistrulywhite,ifyoutrytodyeitblack,itwon'tchangecolor?Shall
Ibelikeagourdthatcanbehung,butnevereaten?
[17-8]
[17:8]TheMastersaid:Mydisciples,whynotstudytheBookofOdes?TheOdescanupliftyou,canmake
youobservant,canhelpyoutogetalongwithpeople,canhelpyoutouseyouranger[inaproperway].
Appliednearathand,youcanserveyourfatherappliedatadistance,youcanserveyourruler.Youcan
learnmuchaboutthenamesofbirds,beasts,plants,andtrees.
[17-9]
[17:9]AddressingBoYu,theMastersaid:HaveyoustudiedtheZhouNanandShaoNanchapters?Isn't
theonewhodoesnotlearntheZhouNanandShaoNanchaptersjustlikesomeonewhostandsdirectly
facingawall?
[17-10]
[17:10]TheMastersaid:Ritual,theysay,ritual,theysay:isnothingmorethanjadeandsilk?50Music
theysay,Musictheysay:isitnothingmorethanbellsanddrums?
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 48/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[17-10]
[17:10]TheMastersaid:Ifyoushowatoughface,butareweakinside,youareamiserablefellow,likea
thiefburrowingthroughthewalls.
[17-11]
[17:11]TheMastersaid:Theconventionaltownsmanisathiefofvirtue.51
[17-12]
[17:12]TheMastersaid:ToapprehendtheWayandlectureonitbeforeactualizationistothrowaway
youraccumulationofvirtue.
[17-13]
[17:13]TheMastersaid:Theselowlifes!Howcantheyeverservearuler?!Whentheydon'thave
something,theymakethemselvesmiserableingettingit.Oncetheygetit,theygonutsaboutlosingit.Once
theyareworriedaboutlosingit,thereisnothingtheywon'tdo.
[17-14]
[17:14]TheMastersaid:Theancientshadthreekindsofshortcomings,someaspectsofwhicharenow
lost.Thewild(guang)52ofantiquitywereunboundedthewildoftodayaredissipated.Theproudof
antiquityweregallanttheproudoftodayarehottempered.Thesimplemindedofantiquitywere
straightforwardthesimplemindedoftodayareliars.
[17-15]
[17:15]TheMastersaid:Skillfulspeechandflatteringexpressionsareseldomindicativeoftruegoodness.
[17-16]
[17:16]TheMastersaid:IhatepurplebecauseitstealstheroleofredIhatethemusicofZheng,53because
itisareconfusedwiththeclassicalmusic54
[17-17]
[17:17]TheMastersaid:IwishIcouldavoidtalking.
ZiGongsaid,Master,ifyoudidn'tspeak,whatwouldwediscipleshavetopasson?
Confuciussaid,DoesHeavenspeak?Yetthefourseasonscontinuetochange,andallthingsareborn.Does
Heavenspeak?
[17-18]
[17:18]RuBeiwantedtoseeConfucius,butConfuciusexcusedhimselfonthegroundsofillness.Whenhis
messengerwenttothedoor,themasterpickeduphisluteandbegantosingsothatBeicouldhearhim.
[17-19]
[17:19]ZaiWoasked:Isn'tthethreeyearmourningperiod[forparents]toolong?IftheNobleMandoes
notexerciseritualforthreeyears,theritualswillcertainlydeteriorateifmusicisnotplayedforthreeyears,
itwillcertainlyvitiate.Lastyear'sgrainisalreadygone,thisyears'grainhasalreadysprouted.Andthe
seasonalcyclefortheuseofwood55forproducingfirebyfrictionhasalreadypassedthrough.Oneyearis
enough.Confuciussaid,Areyoucomfortablewitheatinggoodriceandwearingfinesilk[soonafteryour
parentshavedied]?Yes,Iamfinewithit.IfyouareOKwithit,thengoaheadanddoit.Whenthe
NobleManisinmourning,hecannotenjoythetasteofdeliciousfood,cannotenjoythesoundofmusic,and
cannotbecomfortableinhisownhome,andthereforehewon'tdosuchathing.Now,ifyouarecomfortable
withit,thendoit.ZaiWoleft.Confuciussaid,HowinhumaneZaiWois!Itisonlyafterthreeyearsthata
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 49/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
childavoidshisparent'sembrace.Thethreeyearperiodofmourningisobservedthroughoutsociety.Wasn't
ZaiWolovedthreeyearsbyhisparents?
[17-20]
[17:20]TheMastersaid:Whatcanbedonewithamanwhostuffshisfacewithfoodallday,without
exercisinghismind.Hecouldatleastplaycardsorchessorsomething.Itwouldbebetterthannothing.
[17-21]
[17:21]ZiLusaid:Doesthenoblemanesteembravery?
Confuciussaid,Thenoblemanputsfairnessfirst.Ifthenoblemanisbravewithoutfairness,hewillbe
rebellious.Iftheinferiormanisbravewithoutfairness,hewillbecomeanoutlaw.
[17-22]
[17:22]ZiGongasked,Doesthenoblemanalsohavethingsthathehates?
Confuciussaid,Hedoes.Hehatesthosewhoadvertisethefaultsofothers.Hehatesthosewhoabidein
lowlinessandslanderthegreat.Hehatesthosewhoareboldwithoutpropriety.Hehatesthosewhoare
convincedoftheirownperfection,andclosedofftoanythingelse.Howaboutyou,whatdoyouhate?
ZiGongsaid,IhatethosewhotakealittlebitofclarityaswisdomIhatethosewhotakedisobedienceas
courageIhatethosewhotakedisclosingpeople'sweakpointstobestraightforwardness.
[17-23]
[17:23]TheMastersaid:Girlsandinferiormenarehardtogetalongwith.Ifyougetfamiliarwiththem,
theylosetheirhumilityifyouaredistant,theyresentit.
[17-24]
[17:26]TheMastersaid:Onewhohasreachedtheageoffortyandisdisliked,willbedislikedtotheend.
18.
[18-1]
[18:1]WeizilefthimJiziwasenslavedbyhimBiGanadmonishedhim,anddiedforit.Confuciussaid,
TherewerethreeGoodMenintheYin.
[18-2]
[18:2]HuiLiuxiawaschiefcriminaljudge,andwasfiredthreetimes.
Someonesaid,Whydon'tyoujustleave,sir?
Hesaid,IfIwanttogivejusticeinservingpeople,wherecanIgowherethiswillnothappen?IfIcanbe
satisfiedwithhandingoutinjustice,whyshouldIbotherleavingthelandofmyparents?
[18-3]
[18:3]DukeJingofQiwastryingtodecidewhattodowithConfucius.Hesaid,Ican'ttreathimtheway
theJifamilydid.IcanemployhimsomewherebetweenthestatusofJiorMeng(Sun).Hesaidagain,Iam
alreadyold.Ican'tusehim.Confuciusleft.
[18-4]
[18:4]ThepeopleofQisentLuapresentofgirlmusicians.JiHuan(rulerofLu)receivedthem,andfor
threedaysdidnotholdcourt.Confuciusleft.
[18-5]
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 50/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[18:5]Jieyu,themadmanofChu,passedbyConfucius,singing:
Phoenix!Phoenix!
Howyourvirtuehasdeclined!
Yourpastcannotbecorrected,
Butyourfutureisyettocome.
Giveup!Giveup!
ThosewhoinvolvethemselvesinGovernmentnow
Willbeindanger.
Confuciusjumpeddown,wantingtotalktohim,butheranaway,soConfuciuscouldn'ttalktohim.
[18-6]
[18:6]ZhangZuoandJieNiwereworkingtogetherinthefieldswhenConfuciuswaspassingby.HesentZi
Lutoaskthemwherehecouldfordtheriver.ZhangZuosaid,Whoisthatholdingthecarriage?
ZiLusaid,ItisConfucius
Zhangsaid,TheConfuciusofLu?
Yes.
Well,ifthat'sthecase,thenheknowstheford.
ZiLuthenaskedJieNiwhosaid,Whoareyou?
IamZiLu.
ThefollowerofthisConfuciusofLu?
Right.
Jiesaid,Disorder,disorderthroughouttherealm!Andwhocanchangeit?Ratherthanfollowingashiwho
avoidspeople,youshouldfollowonewhoescapesfromtheworld!Withthat,hewentbacktohishoeing
andwouldn'tstop.
ZiLuwentbackandreportedthistoConfucius.Confuciussighing,said,Ican'tformassociationswiththe
birdsandbeasts.SoifIdon'tassociatewithpeople,thenwhowillIassociatewith?IftheWayprevailedin
therealm,Iwouldnottrytochangeanything.
[18-7]
[18:7]ZiLu,havingfallenbehindthegroup,metanoldmancarryingabasketonapole.Heaskedhim:
Haveyouseenmymaster?
Theoldmansaid,Yourfourlimbshavenottoiled,andyoucan'tdistinguishamongthefivegrainswho
isyourmaster?Heplantedhisstaffinthegroundandbegantoweed.ZiLustoodtherewithhisarms
folded.Theoldmanhadhimstayovernight.Hekilledachicken,preparedmilletandfedhim,andthen
introducedhimtohistwosons.Thenextday,ZiLuleft,andhetoldConfucius.
TheMastersaid,Heisarecluse,andsentZiLubacktoseehim.Whenhearrived,themanwasgone.
ZiLusaid,Ifyoudon'thaveapositioninsociety,howcanyoupracticefairness?Iftherelationship
betweenyoungandoldcannotbeabandoned,howcantherelationshipbetweenrulerandministerbe
abandoned?Desiringtokeephisownpurity,hedisruptsthegreatbondsofsociety.Thenoblemanpractices
hisfairnessfromhisplaceinsociety.Whenfairnessisnotbeingdone,heistheonewhoisawareofit.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 51/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[18-8]
[18:8]AmongmenwhohaveabandonedsocietyareBoYi,ShuQi,YuZhong,Yiyi,ZhuZhang,HuiLiu
Xia,andShaoLian.TheMastersaid,Thosewhowouldnotsurrendertheirwillsorhumiliatethemselves
wereBoYiandShuQi.RegardingLiuxiaHuiandShaoLian,hesaid,Theysurrenderedtheirwillsand
humiliatedthemselvesnonetheless,theirwordswerebasedonsolidprinciplesandtheythoughtbefore
acting.Thatisaboutallthatcanbesaidofthem.ConcerningYuZhongandYiYi:Theyleftsociety,and
intheirseclusioncastoffspeech,theywerepureintheirpersonalactivities,andtheirabandonmentof
officialpositionwasadjustedaccordingtothecircumstances.Iamdifferentthanthis.Ihavenoshoulds
orshouldnots.
[18-9]
[18:10]TheheadmusicianZhi,wenttoQiGan,themusicianforthesecondmeal,wenttoChuLiao,the
musicianforthethirdmeal,wenttoCaiQue,themusicianforthefourthmeal,wenttoQinthedrummer
FangShu,wenttotheareaoftheYellowRiverWu,theplayerofthespinninghanddrum,whentotheHan
RiverYang,theassistantmusician,andXiang,theplayerofthestonechimes,wenttothesea.
[18-10]
[18:10]TheDukeofZhouwastalkingtohisson,theDukeofLu.Hesaid:Thenoblemandoesnotneglect
hisrelativesanddoesnotlettheHighMinisterdevelopresentmentaboutnotbeingutilized.Therefore,he
hasneverfiredanyoneunlesstherewasareallygoodreason,andhedoesnotseektosqueezeeverythingout
ofoneman.
[18-11]
[18:11].TherewereeightGentlemenintheZhou:BoDa,BoKuo,ZhongTu,ZhongHu,ShuYe,ShuXia,
JiSui,andJiGua.
19.
[19-1]
[19:1]ZiZhangsaid:Theshiwhofacedwithdangercanabandonhislifewhoseeinganopportunityfor
gain,thinksoffairnesswhoatritualsisreverentandwhoatfuneralsissorrowful:heisworthsomething.
[19-2]
[19:2]ZiZhangsaid:Keepingone'svirtuewithoutextendingittrustingtheWaywithoutenrichingit.
Whatcanyougain?Andwhatcanyougetridof?
[19-3]
[19:3]ThedisciplesofZiXiawereaskedZiZhangaboutassociations.ZiZhangaskedinresponse:
Whatdoesyourteachertellyou?
Onereplied,Associatewiththecapableandkeepawayfromtheincapable.
ZiZhangsaid,ThisisdifferentfromwhatIhaveheard.Thenoblemanveneratestheworthybutaccepts
everyone.Hepraisesthegoodandpitiestheincapable.NowifIwereaworthy,whomshouldInotaccept?
IfIamunworthy,shallpeoplecastmeaside?Howcanyoujustpushpeopleawaylikethis?
[19-4]
[19:4]ZiXiasaid,Ifsomewhathasjustasmallattainmentoftheway,itcanbeobserved.Butifhetriesto
extendittoofar,itwillloseitsfunctioning.Therefore,thenoblemandoesnotdothis.
[19-5]
[19:5]ZiXiasaid:Someonewhoisawareeverydayofwhathelacks,andeverymonthdoesnotforget
whathehasdeveloped,canbecalledaloveroflearning.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 52/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[19-6]
[19:6]ZiXiasaid:Studyingwidelyandthickeningyourwill,questioningearnestlyandreflectingonthings
athand:renliesinthis.
[19-7]
[19:7]ZiXiasaid:Theartisansstayintheirshopsinordertoaccomplishtheirworks.Thenobleman
studiesinordertoactualizehisWay.
[19-8]
[19:8]ZiXiasaid:Theinferiormanalwaysglossesoverhiserrors.
[19-9]
[19:9]ZiXiasaid:Thenoblemanhasthreeappearances.Fromafar,heappearsmajesticcloseup,he
seemswarmlisteningtohisspeech,heseemspolished.
[19-10]
[19:10]ZiXiasaid:Aftertherulerhasthetrustofthepeople,theywilltoilforhim.Ifhedoesn'thavetheir
trust,theywillregardhimasoppressive.Onlyaftergaininghistrustwilltheycriticizehimopenly.Ifhe
doesn'ttrustthem,hewilltaketheircriticismasbackstabbing.
[19-11]
[19:11]ZiXiasaid:Aslongasyoudon'ttransgressthenormofgreatvirtue,youmayutilizesmallvirtues
freely.
[19-12]
[19:12]ZiYusaid:ThedisciplesofZiXiacancleanthefloor,respondtoquestions,andcomeforwardand
retire,butthesearetrivialmatterswhenitcomestotheessentials,theyarelost.Whyisitso?ZiXia,
hearingofitsaid,What?Isn'tthisabitofanexaggeration?IntheWayoftheNobleMan,thosewho
advancefirstaresummoned,andthosewhoarelatefallaway.56Itislikethevariousplantsthatare
categorizedbytheirspecies.HowcantheWayoftheNobleManbedeceptive?Who,butasage,canboth
taketheinitiativeandbringmatterstotheircompletion?
[19-13]
[19:13]ZiXiasaid:Afteryouhaveaccomplishedyourjob,thenstudy.Afteryouhaveaccomplishedyour
studies,thengetajob.
[19-14]
[19:14]ZiLusaid:Whenmourninghasexpendeditselfingrief,itshouldend.
[19-15]
[19:15]ZiLusaid:MyfriendZhangcanhandledifficulty,butisnotyetperfectinren.
[19-16]
[19:16]CengZisaid:HowimposingZhangis.Itisdifficulttopracticerenwithhim.
[19-17]
[19:17]CengZisaid:Ihaveheardthisfromourmaster:Ifamanhasnotyetfullyexperiencedhimself,he
willwhenhisparentsdie.
[19-18]
[19:18]CengZisaid:IheardourMastersay,Inothermatters,thefilialpietyofMingZhongZiwas
nothingspecial.Buthisrunninghisgovernmentwithoutchanginghisfather'sministersorsystemsthis
wasquitedifficult.
[19-19]
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 53/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[19:19]Yangfu,havingbeenappointedMinisterofJusticebytheMengclan,consultedwithCengZi.Tseng
said,Whenthoseinpowerlosetheirsenseofjustice,thepeoplewillscatterfromthem,anditwillbea
longtimebeforetheyreturn.Whenyouareawareoftheirsuffering,thenyoushouldbesorrowful,never
joyful.
[19-20]
[19:20]ZiGongsaid,Zhoucouldnotreallyhavebeenthatbad.ThereforetheNobleMandislikesresiding
inthelowerreaches,wherealltheeviloftheworldaccumulates.
[19-21]
[19:21]ZiGongsaid:Thefaultsofthenoblemanareliketheeclipsesofthesunandmooneveryone
seesthem.Butwhenhecorrectsthem,everyonelooksuptohim.
[19-22]
[19:22]GongSunchaoofWeiaskedZiGong:FromwhomdidConfuciusgethislearning?
ZiGongsaid,TheWayofKingWenandKingWu(thelegendarysagekingsofantiquity)hasnotyetsunk
intotheground.TheWorthieshaveassimilatedthemajorpoints,andthelessthanworthyhaveassimilated
theminorpoints.ThereisnoplacewheretheWayofWenandWudoesnotexist,sohowcouldtheMaster
notlearnit?Whywouldheneedtogetitfromacertainteacher?
[19-23]
[19:23]ShusunWushu,addressingthemajorofficersofhiscourt,said:ZiGongissuperiortoConfucius.
ZifuJingbotoldthistoZiGong,whocommented,Letmeuseasimileofacastleanditswall.Mywallis
onlyshoulderhigh,whichyoumaylookoverandseethedesirablesthatlieinside.MyMaster'swallis
severaltensoffeethighandifyoucan'tfindthedoorandenterbyit,youwillnotseethebeautyofits
ancestraltemple,northesplendorofitshundredofficers.Thosewhofindthedoorarefewindeed.Arenot
myMaster'swordsevenmoredifficulttograsp?
[19-24]
[19:24]ShusunWushu'sdisparagedConfucius.ZiGongsaid,Itisridiculoustalkingthisway.Confucius
cannotbeslandered.Thevirtueofothermenislikeasmallhill,whichcanbeclimbedover.Confuciusis
likethesunandthemoon.Thereisnowaytheycanbeclimbedover.Evenifyouwanttocutyourselfoff
fromthesunandmoon,howcanyouhurtthem?ItiseasytoseethatWushudoesnotknowvalue.
[19-25]
[19:25]ChenZiqinaddressesZiGong,saying,Youaretoohumble.HowcouldZhongni(Confucius)be
moreworthythanyou?ZiGongsaid,ByasinglewordtheNobleManshowshisintelligence,andbya
singlewordheshowshisignorance.Hence,onemustbecarefulwhenchoosingone'swords.Thelevelof
theMastercannotbereached,justastheheavenscannotbeascendedtousingastairway.Ifourmasterhad
attainedcontrolofthestateorclan,itwouldhavebeenasitissaid:Byhisestablishmenttheytooktheir
positionswhenheled,theyfollowedduetohisgentleness,theycamewhenhemotivatedthem,they
workedinharmony.Inlifehewasglorious,indeathheismourned.Whocouldattaintosuchalevel?
20.
[20-1]
[20:1]Yaosaid,Ah,Shun,theheavenlysuccessionhasfallenonyou.Holdfirmtothecenter.Ifthewhole
realmfallsintodirestraits,theheavenlystipendwilldisappearforever.ShunsimilarlyinstructedYu.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 54/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
[Tang]said,I,theinconsequentialL,daretosacrificetheblackbull,anddaretoreporttotheillustrious
Lord.Whenacrimeisdone,Iwillnotdaretopardonit.IwillIcoverupforyourservants,butleavethe
decisionuptoyourdiscretion.WhenIamguiltyofafault,Iwillnotblameitonallthepeople,andtheyare
atfault,Iwilltakeresponsibilitymyself.Zhouhadgreatgifts,whichheusedtoenrichgoodmen.Although
hewassurroundedbycloserelatives,theywerenottreatedonaparequalwiththeGood.Iftherearefaults
amongtheofficials,57Iwilltaketheblamemyself.Becarefulwithweightsandmeasures,scrutinizewell
thelegalcode,andrestoreofficesthathavefallenintodisusethenallthelandsinthefourdirectionswill
bewellgoverned.Raiseupfailedstates,reestablishbrokenlineages,empowerthosehadavoidedservice,
andallthecommonpeopleintherealmwillputtheirtrustinyou.Placevalueonthecommonpeople,food,
mourningforthedead,andritualsacrifice.Ifyouaregenerousyouwillgaintheheartsofthepeopleifyou
aretrustworthy,theywillrelyonyouifyouarediligent,youwillgetresultsifyouarefair,theywillbe
happy.
[20-2]
[20:2]ZiZhangaskedConfucius,sayingHowshouldonebesthandletheaffairsofgovernment?The
Mastersaid,Therearefivepointsofexcellencetoberespected,andfourbadpointstobeavoided.Ifyou
canfollowthese,youcanhandletheaffairsofgovernment.ZiZhangasked,Whatarethefivepointsof
excellence?TheMastersaid,TheNobleManisgenerouswithoutbeingwasteful,workshardwithout
resentment,desireswithoutbeingavaricious,isproudwithoutbeingarrogant,strictwithoutbeingsevere.
ZiZhangsaid,Whatdoesitmean,tobegenerouswithoutbeingwasteful?TheMastersaid,Ifyouseea
waytobringbenefittothecommonpeopleandyoucarryitout,isthisnotbeinggenerouswithoutbeing
wasteful?Ifyouselectthematterswhereitisappropriatetoworkandhavepeopleworkhardatthem,who
willberesentful?IfyoudesireGoodnessandattainit,wherewilltherebegreed?Whetherdealingwiththe
manyorthefew,theyoungortheold,theNobleMandoesnotdaretobeconceited.Isthisnotindeedthe
meaningofbeingproudbutnotbeingarrogant?TheNobleMan,straighteninghisrobeandcap,isrespectful
inhisgazeheissevereinthegazesofthepeople,yetisinaweofthem.Isthisnotthemeaningofbeing
strictwithoutbeingsevere?ZiZhangsaid,Whatarethefourbadpoints?TheMastersaid,Toexecute
someonewithoutexplainingwhattheydidwrongiscrueltytoexpectachievementswithoutadmonishment
istyrannicaltobelateingivingordersyetexpectingpunctualityisinjurioustobestingyinbestowingon
peopletheirdueremunerationispettyofficiousness.
[20-3]
[20:3]TheMastersaid:Ifyoudonotunderstanddestiny,thereisnowayyouwillberegardedasaNoble
Man.Ifyoudonotunderstandpropriety,thereisnowayforyoutobeestablished.Ifyoudonotunderstand
words,thereisnowayforyoutounderstandpeople.
Notes
1.Shijing.TheBookofOdes.OneofthefiveChineseclassicsalsocommonlyreferredtoinChineseastheMaoshi.Also
translatedastheBookofPoetry,orBookofSongs.Itisacollectionofpoems,writtenduringthe500yearsbetweenthebeginningof
theZhoudynastyandthemiddleoftheSpringandAutumnperiod.ItisbelievedthatConfuciusselected305frommorethan3,000
piecesandeditedthemintoabooktobeusedforeducation.Ofthe305poems,eachisusuallyknownbyitstitle,whicharedrawn
fromphrasesfoundinitsopeningpassage.
2.ThissimilefortheprocessofselfperfectionisfoundofteninConfuciantexts.
3.Inotherwords:Igivehimahintandhegetsthewholepoint.
4.Legge'snotetothispassagesays(withconversiontoPinyin):TheTaimountainisthefirstofthefivemountainswhichare
celebratedinChineseliterature,andhavealwaysreceivedreligioushonors.ItwasinLu,orratheronthebordersbetweenLuandJi,
abouttwomilesnorthofthepresentdepartmentcityofTaianinShandong.AccordingtotheritualofChina,sacrificecouldonlybe
offeredtothosemountainsbythesovereign,andbytheprincesinwhoseStatesanyofthemhappenedtobe.ForthechiefoftheJi
family,therefore,tosacrificetotheTaimountainwasagreatusurpation.LinPang,seechap.iv,fromwhichthereasonofthis
referencetohimmaybeunderstood.RanYouwasoneofthedisciplesofConfucius,andisnowthird,inthehall,onthewest.He
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 55/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
enteredtheserviceoftheJifamily,andwasamanofabilityandresource.
5.TheGuanju(TheCryoftheOspreys)isthefirstpoemintheBookofOdes.Itbeginsbydescribingalover'sgriefatbeing
separatedfromhisladyandendsbydescribingtheirjoyfulunion.(Waley,99)
6.:GuanZhong.(?645BCE)SpringandAutumnperiodstatesman,originallyfromtheareaofYingshui.
FamiliarnamewasYiWu,styledZhong,alsoknownasJing,thusalsoknownasGuanZingzhongandGuanzi
.HetheprimeministerwhoswitchedloyaltiesaftertheassassinationofhisoriginallordtoserveDukeHuanofQi.
Heisconsideredtoberesponsibleformanyoftheduke'sadministrativeachievements.Itwasbasedupontherecommendationofhis
friendBaoShuthatDukeHuantookhimintohisservice,andHuanwouldgoontobecomeknownasoneoftheFive
Hegemons.HeisreputedtobetheauthoroftheGuanzi.
7.Leggetranslates:Ifthewillbesetonvirtue,therewillbenopracticeofwickedness.Butwerarelyseeasanentityofevilor
wickednessintextsofthisperiod.AmesandRosemontsay:Ifindeedone'spurposesaresetonauthoritativeconduct,onecoulddo
nowrong.Butisnotgenerallyusedtoindicatewrongdoing.Itusuallymeansugliness,hatefulness,tobeugly,behateful,or
hated,etc.ArthurWaleytriesrightlyIthinktomaintaincontinuitywiththepreviouspassagebysayingHewhoseheartisin
thesmallestdegreesetonGoodnesswilldislikenoone.Iprefer(asIusuallydo),thereadingofBruceBrooks:Ifoncehesetshis
mindonren,hewillhavenohatred.
8.JamesLeggetakesasIgrant...indicatingagreement,andthus:Igrantyou,youarenotequaltohim.
9.Forthemeaningofwildhere,pleaseseethediscussionofthetermguanginthecommenton13:21.
10.I.e.,fitthespecificationsforasacrificialanimal.
11.Leggesays:ThefatherofZhongGong(SeeV.ii.)wasamanofbadcharacterandsomewouldhavevisitedthisuponhisson,
whichdrewforthConfucius'remark.(186)
12.WhichwasoutoftherangeofQi'sinfluence.
13.Leggesays(p.199):[BoYiandShuQi]havinggivenuptheirthrone,andfinallytheirlives,ratherthandoingwhatwaswrong,
andConfucius,fullyapprovingoftheirconduct,itwasplainhecouldnotapproveofason'sholdingbyforcewhatwastherightful
inheritanceofthefather.
14.AhighofficialoftheSong,whowastryingtoassassinateConfucius.
15.ThisisprobablyareferencetoYanhui,Confucius'favoriteamonghisdisciples,whodiedyoung.
16.Wenmeansliteratureorculture.KingWenwastraditionallyrecognizedasateacherofculturetotheancientChinese.
17.Thenoblemanisnotautensil.
18.IhavedivergedfromLeggeandWaleyintakingcompletelyemptyliketoreferpositivelytotheconditionofConfucius'mind,
ratherthannegativelytothemindofthesimplemanwhoisquestioning.
19.Commentatorsandtranslatorsunderstandthischart/diagramvariously.ThemostthoroughandconvincingexplanationthatIhave
foundisthatbyBruceBrookswhichsays:thephoenixomen...andtheRiverDiagram(thereferenceistotheYellowRiver).
ThelatterisnotinterpretedasthemagicsquareoforderthreeuntilHantimes(wearegratefultoNathanSivinforthisclarification)
inthelate4citmayhavebeena3x3arrayrepresentingtheninepartsofChinainDzouYen'sgeographyasymbolofuniversal
dominion.(Commenttopassage9:9)
20.I.e.,hewanted,inthecaseofConfucius'death,forittoappearthatConfuciushadbeenofhighstatus.
21.BookofPoems,number67.
22.AccordingtoZhuXi,thelogographhereisacorruptionof.
23.:Thestepsleadingtotheeasterndoorofthehall.Theplacewherethehoststandswhengreetingguests.
24.FollowingBruceBrooks.
25.InaTangstoneengraving,thisiswrittenas.
26.Thispassageisgivenawiderangeofinterpretationsbycommentatorsandtranslators.Itakeitasanepisodeinthemidstofan
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 56/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
excursion(perhapsfortheexplicitpurposeofhunting,ornot)byZiLuandConfuciuswheretheopportunityshowsitselfforthemto
catchahenpheasant.
27.AversefromtheBookofOdes(256):Aflawinawhitejadetabletmaybepolishedawaybutnothingcanbedoneforaflawin
one'swords.
28.
Forexample,WingtsitChantranslates:
Ifaman(theruler)canforonedaymasterhimselfandreturntopropriety,allunderheavenwillreturnto
humanity(SourceBook,p.38)
Thisrenderingmakestheassumptionthattheonlywaytomakethepeoplehumaneisthroughtheenforcementof
politicalpower.ThereisnodoubtthatConfuciushimselfsoughttheemploymentofakingtohelpbringpeacetothe
world.Butthereisalsonoindicationthatheisspeakingtoakinghere,nordoesthewordwangappearinthesentence.
JamesLeggesays:
Ifamancanforonedaysubduehimselfandreturntopropriety,allunderheavenwillascribevirtuetohim.(Legge
250)
Thisrenderingdamagestheforceofthepassageevenfurtherbyinterpretingthewordgui(whichclearly
meansreturninChinese)asascribetohim,athoroughlyunnaturalreadingoftheword.D.C.Laustays
fairlyclosetoLeggewhenhetranslates:
Ifforasingledayamancouldreturntotheobservanceofritesthroughovercominghimself,thenthewholeEmpire
wouldconsiderbenevolencetobehis.(Lau112)
29.Waley(166)indicatesthatthislinecomesfromtheBookofOdes#105,fromataleofamanwholeaveshiswifeforanother
woman:anexampleofconfusion.
30.Othertranslations,followingChuhsi,renderthislastlineasheneversleptonapromise.Ibasedmyinterpretationonamore
literalreadingofthetext,andonthefactthatTzulu,throughouttheAnalects,isshowntobeapersonwhospeakshismind
immediatelyanddirectly.
31.HereConfuciusispunningonthefactthatinChinese,thewordsgovernmentandtorectifyarepronouncedthesame
(zhng).
32.Pleaseseediscussionofdainreferenceto12:20.
33.TherulersofLuandWei(ZhougongJidanandKangShu)wereactuallybrothers,whosemilitarytacticswere
similar.Confucius.CommentatorssuggestthatConfuciuswasdisillusionedtofindthatthingsinWeiwerenobetterthaninLu.
34.YiandAoareancientlegendaryfiguresfamousfortheirsuperhumanfeats.
35.TranslatorsandinterpretersoftheAnalectsaredividedintothegroupthattakesasanoldpromiseandthosewhotakeitas
enduringdifficultywithaslightlygreaternumberpreferringtheformerinterpretation.However,wefeelthatthisinterpretation
accordsmorecloselywiththethoughtofConfucius.See,forexample,Analects4:2:.Furthermore,the
logographisnotcommonlyusedtorepresentsomethingoldorformer(,,).Rather,itmeanstomaintainanactivity
overalongperiodoftime.Confusiononthepartofmoderninterpretersmaybeinfluencedbythehomophonyofand.
36.:JnWenGong.(Reign637628BCE)DukeWenofJin.ThesecondoftheFiveHegemonsoftheSpringand
Autumnperiod.ThesecondsonofDukeXian,hewentintoexilefor19yearstoavoidtheplotsofhismotherinlaw
ConcubineLi.Asduke,withtheassistanceofableministersasZhaoCuiandGuYan,heestablishedthesupremacy
ofJinastheleaderofthestatesincentralChinatoopposeChu.AlsocalledandoftenpairedwithDukeHuanofQi
as.
37.:QiHuanGong.DukeHuanofQi,whodiedin643BCE.Hewasoneofthefivehegemonswhoheldpowerin
the7thcentury.YoungerbrotherofXiangGong,firstnameXiaoBai,alsoknownasHuan.Sincehisolderbrother
XiangGongwasinthebusinessofassassinatingthosearoundhim,theyoungerbrothersescapedtoneighboringstates,withHuan
takingrefugeinJu.WhenXiangGongwasassassinatedbyhispeople,hewasinvitedtoreturn,andtakeupthethrone.Atthe
recommendationofBaoShuyahetookthecleverGuanZhongashisprimeminister.Respectingtheroyalhouseof
Zhou,hevanquishedYiQiu,andassemblingallthenobles,unifiedtherealm.,
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 57/58
13/04/2015 AnalectsofConfucius
38.:GongZijiu.AmanofQiduringtheSpringandAutumnperiod.YoungbrotherofXiangGong.WhenXiang
beganexecutingthosearoundhim,theyoungerbrothersescapedfromthecountry,withJiugoingtoLuandXiaoBai
goingtoJu.WhenXiangwasassassinatedbyhispeople,XiaoBaiwasaskedtoreturntotakethethrone,andLuraisedaforceand
sentJiuaway,allowingXiaoBaitoarrivetoQifirstandtakethethroneasHuanGong.Intheend,thepeopleofLukilledZiJiu
inShengdu.InAnalects14:16,ConfuciusseemstobesayingthathewaskilledbyhisolderbrotherHuangGong.
39.:ZhaoHu.AgrandmasterofQiduringtheSpringandAutumnperiod,acolleagueofGuanZhong.He
wasoriginallyloyaltotheolderbrotherofDukeHuan,sowhenhislordwasassassinatedbyHuan,hetookhisownlifeaswell.
,(DDB)
40.Seenoteon3:22forbioofGuanZhong.
41.:Fasteningone'sgarmentontheleftsideastyleofthenomadictribesonthefringesofChina.TheChinese(aswellas
KoreansandJapanese)fastenedtheirgarmentsontherightside.,[]
42.Thedictionariesglossasahorsethatcanrunathousandliinasingleday.ArthurWaleydepartsfromtheothertranslatorsby
takingittobethenameofagreathorseofantiquity.Thisseemstobetomakesense,buthedoesnotprovidetextualsupportforthis
interpretation,andwehavenotbeenabletolocateitourselves.ItisnotclearwhyConfuciusisquotedashavingsaidthishere,but
perhapshewouldliketoimplythatevenananimalhasthiskindofinnerfortitudeanddedication,sohowmuchmoreinthecaseof
humanbeings?
43.Alsotranslatedelsewhere,bycontext,asrightness.
44.TheXia,theYinandtheZhou.
45.Mosttranslatorsrenderaccordingtoitsmodernmeaningofrhinoceros,inearlyclassicalChinesethisreferstoawildbovine
beastwithasinglehorn.WecanalsonodoubtpresumethattherewerenotallthatmanyrhinocerosesinancientChinaduringthe
WarringStatesperiod.
46.ThestrongholdoftheJifamily.
47.Ascommentatorsandothertranslatorshavenoted,andascanbediscernedbythecontext,thelogographsandhave
obviouslybeentransposedhere.
48.ThreechiefministersinthestateofLuduringtheSpringandAutumnperiods.TheyareMengsun,Shusun
,andJisun.ThesethreeinfluentialfamilieswereallthedescendentsofHuangong,alsocalledSanHuan.Afterthedeath
ofWengong,thesethreemajorfamiliescontrolledthepoliticalpowerofthestateofLu.
49.AtowninWei,capturedbytheJin.
50.Jadeandsilkclothing.Inantiquity,aformalgiftwhenthefeudallordsmeteachotherortheking.Alsousedasanofferingto
gods.
51.Foradiscussionofthissaying,seeMencius7B:37.
52.Forthemeaningofguang,pleaseseethediscussionconnectedto13:21.
53.ThesoundsofZhengarealsocriticizedinAnalects1511.
54.I.e.,themusicofYa.Ihatecleverspeech,becauseitunderminesthestateandtheclans.
55..Thisreferstothevariouskindsofwoodusedtraditionallyasdrillformakingfire.TheearlyChineseusedelmorwillowin
spring,jujubeorapricottreeinearlysummer,mulberryinlatesummer,oakinautumn,andpagodaorsandalwoodtreeinwinter.This
iscalledafullcycle.
56.Thosetranslatorswhoreadhereasmature,seemtobeignoringbasicChinesegrammaticalsensibilities,asitspositionatthe
headofthephrasemakesitobviousthatitsbasicmeaningofwhoisimplied.
57.Mosttranslatorstakeasthecommonpeople.However,theearliermeaningofthistermis.Duringearlierperiods,the
commonpeopledidnothavetheirownsurnames,andsousedthatoftheirlocallordorofficial.SincewearespeakingofYaoand
Shun,thisiscertainlyoneoftheearliestrecordedperiodsinChinesehistory.
http://www.acmuller.net/condao/analects.html 58/58