Analects 17.6

Original Text:

子张问仁于孔子孔子曰能行五者于天下为仁矣请问之曰恭宽信敏惠恭则不侮宽则得众信则人任焉敏则有功惠则足以使人

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zizhang asked Confucius about Goodness.

Confucius replied, “Someone could be considered Good who is able to, everywhere in the world, put five virtues into practice.”

“May I ask what these virtues are?”

“Reverence, magnanimity, trustworthiness, diligence, and kindness. If you are reverent, you will avoid disgrace; if you are magnanimous, you will win the populace; if you are trustworthy, others will put their trust in you; if you are diligent, you will achieve results; and if you are kind, you will have the wherewithal to employ the people.”

Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zizhang asked Confucius about humaneness. Confucius said, A person who can exercise these five in his dealings with the world is acting humanely.

When Zizhang asked what “these five” were, Confucius said, Courtesy, tolerance, trustworthiness, diligence, and kindness. Be courteous, and you avoid disrespect. Be tolerant, and you win over the multitude. Be trustworthy, and you are trusted by others. Be diligent, and your work will go well. Be kind, and you will be able to employ others.

Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *