Analects

Analects 2.1

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Original Text:

子曰为政以德譬如北辰居其所而众星共之

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “One who rules through the power of Virtue is analogous to the Pole Star: it simply remains in its place and receives the homage of the myriad lesser stars.”

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

The Master said, Conduct government in accordance with virtue, and it will be like the North Star standing in its place, with all the other stars paying court to it.

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

Analects 1.16

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Original Text:

子曰不患人之不己知患不知人也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Do not be concerned about whether or not others know you; be concerned about whether or not you know others.”

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

The Master said, Don’t worry about whether other people understand you. Worry about whether you understand other people.

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

Analects 1.14

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Original Text:

子曰君子食无求饱居无求安敏于事而慎于言就有道而正焉可谓好学也已

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “The gentleman is not motivated by the desire for a full belly or a comfortable abode. He is simply scrupulous in behavior and careful in speech, drawing near to those who possess the Way in order to be set straight by them. Surely this and nothing else is what it means to love learning.

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

The Master said, A gentleman when he eats doesn’t try to stuff himself, when he chooses a dwelling is not overly concerned about comfort. He is attentive to affairs, careful of his words, and looks to those who have the Way to correct himself. He’s the kind who can be called a lover of learning.

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

Analects 1.13

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Original Text:

有子曰信近于义言可复也恭近于礼远耻辱也因不失其亲亦可宗也

Translation:

Other Translations:

Master You said, “Trustworthiness comes close to rightness, in that your word can be counted upon. Reverence comes close to ritual propriety, in that it allows you to keep shame and public disgrace at a distance. Simply following these virtues, never letting them out of your sight – one cannot deny that this is worthy of respect.”

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

Master You said, Trustworthiness is close to rightness – it ensure that people will live up to their word. Courtesy is close to ritual decorum – it ensures that people will give wide berth to shame and disgrace. When one makes no mistakes in what he favors, he can serve as a leader.

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

Analects 1.12

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Original Text:

有子曰礼之用和为贵先王之道斯为美小大由之有所不行知和而和不以礼节之亦不可行也

Translation:

Other Translations:

Master You said, “When it comes to the practice of ritual, it is harmonious ease that is to be valued. It is precisely such harmony that makes the Way of the Former Kings so beautiful. If you merely stick rigidly to ritual in all matters, great and small, there will remain that which you cannot accomplish. Yet if you know enough to value harmonious ease but try to attain it without being regulated by the rites, this will not work either.”

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

Master You said, What ritual values most is harmony. The Way of the former kings was truly admirable in this respect. But if in matters great and small one proceeds in this manner, the results may not always be satisfactory. You may understand the ideal of harmony and work for it, but if you do not employ ritual to regulate the proceedings, things will not go well.

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

Analects 1.11

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Original Text:

子曰父在观其志父没观其行三年无改于父之道可谓孝矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “When someone’s father is still alive, observe his intentions; after his father has passed away, observe his conduct. If for three years he does not alter the ways of his father, he may be called a filial son.”

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

The Master said, While his father is alive, observe his intentions. After his father is dead, observe his actions. If after three years he hasn’t changed his father’s way of doing thing, then you can call him filial.

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

Analects 1.10

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Original Text:

子禽问于子贡曰夫子至于是邦也必闻其政求之与抑与之与子贡曰夫子温良恭俭让以得之夫子之求之也其诸异乎人之求之与

Translation:

Other Translations:

Ziqin asked Zigong, “When our Master arrives in a state, he invariably finds out about its government. Does he actively seek out this information? Surely it is not simply offered to him!”

Zigong answered, “Out Master obtains it through being courteous, refined, respectful, restrained and deferential. The Master’s way of seeking it is entirely different from other people’s way of seeking it, is it not?

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

Ziqin questioned Zigong, saying, When the Maaster goes to a particular state, he is certain to learn about its government. Does he seek such information? Or do others just give it to him?

Zigong said, The Master goes about it by being cordial, forthright, respectful, modest, and deferential. The Master’s way of seeking is different from that of others.

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

Analects 1.9

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Original Text:

曾子曰慎终追远民德归厚矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

Master Zeng said, “Take great care in seeing off the deceased and sedulously maintain the sacrifices to your distant ancestors, and the common people will sincerely return to Virtue.”

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

Master Zeng said, Tend carefully to death rites, and pay reverence to those long departed, and the people will in the end be rich in virtue.

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

Analects 1.8

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Original Text:

子曰君子不重则不威学则不固主忠信无友不如己者过则勿惮改

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “If a gentleman is not serious, he will not inspire awe, and what he learns will be grasped only superficially. Let your actions be governed by dutifulness and trustworthiness, and do not accept as a friend who is not your equal. If you have committed a transgression, do not be afraid to change your ways.

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

The Master said, If the gentleman lacks gravity, he won’t command respect. If he studies he will avoid narrow-mindedness. Put prime value on loyalty and trustworthiness, have no friends who are not your equal, and, if you make mistakes, don’t be afraid to correct them.

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

Analects 1.5

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Original Text:

子曰道千乘之国敬事而信节用而爱人使民以时

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “To guide a state of one thousand chariots, be respectful in your handing of affairs and display trustworthiness; be frugal in your expenditures and cherish others; and employ the common people only at the proper times.”

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

The Master said, Guiding a state of a thousand chariots, be attentive to affairs and trustworthy, frugal in expenditures and sparing of others. Employ the common people only at proper times.

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