Battle

Analects 15.1

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fifteen

Original Text:

卫灵公问陈于孔子孔子对曰俎豆之事则尝闻之矣军旅之事未之学也明日遂行

Translation:

Other Translations:

Duke Ling of Wei asked Confucius about military formations.

Confucius replied, “I know something about the arrangement of ceremonial stands and dishes for ritual offerings, but I have never learned about the arrangement of battalions and divisions.”

He left the next day.

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

Duke Ling of Wei asked Confucius about battle formations. Confucius replied, With regard to sacrificial platters and stands, I have some learning. But I have never studied military affairs.

The next day he left Wei for good.

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

Analects 13.30

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Thirteen

Original Text:

子曰以不教民战是谓弃之

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Leading people who have not been instructed into battle—this is called, ‘throwing them away.’ ”

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

The Master said, To fail to instruct the common people in warfare—you could call that throwing them away.

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

Analects 13.29

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Thirteen

Original Text:

子曰善人教民七年亦可以即戎矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Having been instructed by an excellent person for seven years, the common people will be ready for anything, even the taking up of arms.”

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

The Master said, Let a good man instruct them for seven years, and the common people will be capable of military service.

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