Original Text:
阙党童子将命或问之曰益者与子曰吾见其居于位也见其与先生并行也非求益者也欲速成者也
Translation:
Other Translations:
A boy from the Que district came bearing a message to Confucius. Someone asked Confucius about him, saying, “Is this someone who is likely to improve himself?”
The Master replied, “I observed him sitting in the presence of adults, and also walking alongside his elders. He is not looking to improve himself, but is just after quick success.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
A young boy of the village of Que was assigned to carry messages. Someone asked Confucius about him, saying, Is he improving himself?
The Master said, I’ve seen him sit in the seat for adults, seen him walk shoulder to shoulder with his elders. He’s not trying to improve himself—he’s just in a hurry to be treated as a grownup.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.