Ancient

Analects 17.16

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seventeen

Original Text:

子曰古者民有三疾今也或是之亡也古之狂也肆今之狂也荡古之矜也廉今之矜也忿戾古之愚也直今之愚也诈而已矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “In ancient times, people had three type of faults, which have perhaps since disappeared. In ancient times, those who were wild were at least forthright; nowadays, they are simply deviant. In ancient times, those who were proud were at least principled; nowadays, they are simply belligerent and easily provoked. In ancient times, those who were stupid were at least upright; nowadays, they are simply devious.”

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

The Master said, In former times the common people had three weaknesses, but now even these seem to have largely disappeared. Assertive persons in the past were reckless; now they are downright overbearing. Firm-minded persons in the past were prudish; now they are testy and belligerent. Stupid persons in the past were at least upright; now all they do is try to deceive others.

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

Analects 7.20

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seven

Original Text:

子曰我非生而知之者好古敏以求之者也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “I am not someone who was born with knowledge. I simply love antiquity, and diligently look there for knowledge.”

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

The Master said, I was not born understanding anything. A lover of antiquity, I have diligently worked to acquire understanding.

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

Analects 7.1

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Original Text:

子曰述而不作信而好古窃比于我老彭

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “I transmit rather than innovate. I trust in and love the ancient ways. I might thus humbly compare myself to Old Peng.”

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

The Master said, A transmitter and not a maker, trusting in and loving antiquity, I venture to compare myself with our Old Peng.

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

Analects 4.22

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Four

Original Text:

子曰古者言之不出耻躬之不逮也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “People in ancient times were not eager to speak, because they would be ashamed if their actions did not measure up to their words.”

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

The Master said, People in old times were sparing in their words. They were ashamed to think that their actions might not measure up.

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

Analects 3.16

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Three

Original Text:

子曰射不主皮为力不同科古之道也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “It is said, ‘In archery, one does not emphasize piercing the hide of the target,’ because people’s strengths differ. Such is the ancient Way.”

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

The Master said,

In archery hitting the target is not the point – people are not all of equal strength.

That was the old-time way.

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