子夏曰小人之过也必文
Zixia said, “When a petty person commits a transgression, he is sure to gloss it over.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Zixia said, When the petty man makes a mistake, he invariably tries to gloss it over.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
子夏曰百工居肆以成其事君子学以致其道
Zixia said, “The various artisans dwell in their workshops in order to perfect their crafts, just as the gentleman learns in order to reach the end of his Way.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Zixia said, The hundred craftsmen stay in their workshops in order to accomplish their tasks. The gentleman studies in order to perfect his Way.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
子夏曰博学而笃志切问而近思仁在其中矣
Zixia said, “Learning broadly and firmly retaining what one has learned, being incisive in one’s questioning and able to reflect upon what is near at hand—Goodness is to be found in this.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Zixia said, Broad in learning, dedicated in will, acute in questioning, reflecting on things close at hand—look for humaneness there.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
子夏曰日知其所亡月无忘其所能可谓好学也已矣
Zixia said, “Being aware every day of what he still lacks, and after a month’s time not forgetting what he is already capable of—a person like this can be said to love learning.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Zixia said, Day by day understanding what is beyond you, month by month never forgetting what you can do—you may be called a lover of learning.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
子夏曰虽小道必有可观者焉致远恐泥是以君子不为也
Zixia said, “Although the byways no doubt have their own interesting sights to see, one who wishes to reach a distant destination fears becoming mired. This is why the gentleman does not take the byways.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Zixia said, Although it may be a lesser Way, it must have things worth noting. But if pursued too far, there’s a danger of becoming mired in it—therefore, the gentleman does not do so.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
子夏之门人问交于子张子张曰子夏云何对曰子夏曰可者与之其不可者拒之子张曰异乎吾所闻君子尊贤而容众嘉善而矜不能我之大贤与于人何所不容我之不贤与人将拒我如之何其拒人也
The disciples of Zixia asked Zizhang about social relations.
Zizhang said, “What does Zixia have to say about this?”
They responded, “Zixia says, ‘Associate with those who are acceptable, and reject those who are unacceptable.’ ”
Zizhang said, “This is different from what I have learned. The gentleman treats the worthy people with reverence, and is tolerant of the masses; he praises excellence, but takes pity on those who are incapable. If I am truly a great worthy, what will I not tolerate in my dealings with others? If I am, in fact, unworthy, then people will reject me—what need is there for me to reject them?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
A disciple of Zixia asked Zizhang about personal relations. Zizhang said, What does Zixia say? The disciple replied, Zixia says, Associate with those who are fit to be associated with; reject those who are not.
Zizhang said, That’s different from what I’ve heard. The gentleman honors worthy persons and tolerates the multitude. He applauds good men and sympathizes with those who lack ability. Am I myself a person of great worth? If so, why shouldn’t I tolerate others? Am I a person who lacks worth? If so, others will reject me. What need is there for me to reject others?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
子张曰执德不弘信道不笃焉能为有焉能为亡
Zizhang said, “If you are not grand in the manner you hold onto Virtue, or sincere in your trust in the Way, how can you be said to possess anything? How can you be said to lack anything?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Zizhang said, He adheres to virtue but not expansively; he trusts in the Way but not with conviction—how can you tell if he’s really there or not?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
子张曰士见危致命见得思义祭思敬丧思哀其可已矣
Zizhang said, “To submit to fate when confronted with danger, to think of rightness when presented with an opportunity for gain, to focus on respectfulness when offering sacrifices, and to concentrate upon your grief when in mourning—these are the qualities that make a scholar-official acceptable.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Zizhang said, When a man of station spies danger, he is prepared to give his life. When he spies gain, he thinks of what is right. At a sacrifice, he thinks of respectfulness; at a funeral, he thinks of grief. If he does this much, he will get by.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
周有八士伯达伯适仲突仲忽叔夜叔夏季随季騧
The Zhou had eight [worthy] scholar-officials: the Eldest-Sons Da and Kuo, the Second-Sons Tu and Hu, the Third-Sons Ye and Xia, and the Youngest-Sons Sui and Gua.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Zhou had eight men of station: elder brother Da and elder brother Kuo; middle brother Tu and middle brother Hu; younger brother Ye and younger brother Xia; youngest brother Sui and youngest brother Kuo.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
周公谓鲁公曰君子不施其亲不使大臣怨乎不以故旧无大故则不弃也无求备于一人
The Duke of Zhou said to the Duke of Lu, “The gentleman does not neglect his relatives, nor does he cause his great ministers to be angry about not being properly employed. Therefore, he does not dismiss someone who has been long in his service, unless they commit a grave offense, and he does not demand everything from any one person.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The duke of Zhou said to the duke of Lu, The gentleman does not neglect his relatives and does not cause his high officials to be resentful because he does not heed them. He does not dismiss old associates without good reason, and he does not demand perfection from one person.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
