Analects – Book Fourteen

Analects 14.34

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Original Text:

或曰以德报怨何如子曰何以报德以直报怨以德报德

Translation:

Other Translations:

Someone asked, “What do you think of the saying, ‘Requite injury with kindness’?”

The Master replied, “With what, then, would one requite kindness? Requite injury with uprightness, and kindness with kindness.”

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

Someone said, Repay hatred with virtue—how would that do?

The Master said, Then how would you repay virtue? Repay hatred with uprightness. Repay virtue with virtue.

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

Analects 14.33

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Original Text:

曰骥不称其力称其德也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “One does not praise a thoroughbred horse for its physical strength, but rather for its character.”

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

he Master said, The famous horse Qi was praised not for his strength but for his virtue.

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

Analects 14.32

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Original Text:

微生亩谓孔子曰丘何为是栖栖者与无乃为佞乎孔子曰非敢为佞也疾固也

Translation:

Other Translations:

Weisheng Mou said to Confucius, “Qiu, what are you trying to accomplish with all this flitting around from perch to perch? Are you not merely showing off your glibness?”

Confucius replied, “I would not presume to be glib; it is just that I am very stubborn.”

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

Weisheng Mu said to Confucius, Qiu, why are you always rushing around? Are you trying to talk yourself into favor?

Confucius replied, I would not venture to talk myself into favor. I’m distressed by so much obstinacy.

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

Analects 14.31

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Original Text:

子曰不逆诈不亿不信抑亦先觉者是贤乎

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Not anticipating betrayal, nor expecting untrustworthiness, yet still being the first to perceive it—this is a worthy person indeed.”

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

The Master said, Do not be overly wary of deception; do not suspect others of bad faith. But he who is first to perceive the true situation is the wise one!

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

Analects 14.30

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Original Text:

子曰不患人之不己知患其不能也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Do not worry that you are not recognized by others; worry rather that you yourself lack ability.”

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

The Master said, Don’t worry about others’ not understanding you. Worry about your own lack of ability.

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

Analects 14.29

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Original Text:

子贡方人子曰赐也贤乎哉夫我则不暇

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zigong was given to criticizing others.

The Master remarked sarcastically, “What a worthy man that Zigong must be! As for me, I hardly have the time for this.”

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

Zigong was voicing his opinion of others. The Master said, How wise Si (Zigong) is! I’m afraid I don’t have time for that sort of thing.

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

Analects 14.28

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Original Text:

子曰君子道者三我无能焉仁者不忧知者不惑勇者不惧子贡曰夫子自道也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “The Way of the gentleman is threefold, and yet I have not been able to achieve any aspect of it: ‘The Good do not worry, the wise are not confused, and the courageous do not fear.’ ”

Zigong replied, “[By quoting this saying], the Master has in fact described himself.”

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

he Master said, The Way of the gentleman has three characteristics that are still beyond me. The humane are never anxious; the wise, never perplexed; the brave, never afraid.

Zigong said, Master, that is your own Way.

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

Analects 14.27

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Original Text:

子曰君子耻其言而过其行

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “The gentleman is ashamed to have his words exceed his actions.”

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

The Master said, The gentleman is ashamed to let his words outstrip his actions.

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

Analects 14.26

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Original Text:

子曰不在其位不谋其政曾子曰君子思不出其位

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Do not discuss matters of government policy that do not fall within the scope of your official duties.”

Master Zeng added, “The gentleman’s thoughts do not go beyond his office”

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

The Master said, If one does not hold the position, one does not dictate the policies that go with it.

Master Zeng said, The gentleman’s thoughts do not extend beyond the position that he holds.

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

Analects 14.25

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Original Text:

蘧伯玉使人于孔子孔子与之坐而问焉曰夫子何为对曰夫子欲寡其过而未能也使者出子曰使乎使乎

Translation:

Other Translations:

Qu Boyu sent a messenger to Confucius. Confucius sat down beside him and asked, “How are things with your Master?”

The messenger replied, “My Master wishes to reduce his faults, but has not yet been able to do so.”

After the messenger left, the Master said, “Now that is a messenger! That is a messenger!”

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

Qu Boyu sent a messenger to Confucius. Confucius seated him at his side and questioned him, saying, What does your master do?

The messenger replied, My master endeavors to lessen his faults, though he is not yet entirely successful.

After the messenger left, the Master said, What a messenger, what a messenger!

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