Benevolence

Analects 4.5

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Original Text:

子曰富与贵是人之所欲也不以其道得之不处也贫与贱是人之所恶也不以其道得之不去也君子去仁恶乎成名君子无终食之间违仁造次必于是颠沛必于是

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Wealth and social eminence are things that all people desire, and yet unless they are acquired in the proper way I will not abide them. Poverty and disgrace are things that all people hate, and yet unless they are avoided in the proper way I will not despise them.

“If the gentleman abandons Goodness, how can he merit the name? The gentleman does not go against Goodness even for the amount of time required to finish a meal. Even in times of urgency or distress, he necessarily accords with it.”

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

The Master said, Wealth and eminence are what people desire, but if one can’t get them by means that accord with the Way, one will not accept them. Poverty and low position are what people hate, but if one can’t avoid them by means that accord with the Way, one will not reject them.

If the gentleman rejects humaneness, how can he be worthy of the name of gentleman? The gentleman never departs from humanness even fort he space of a meal – in confusion and distress he holds fast to it; stumbling, faltering, he holds fast to it.

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

Analects 4.2

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Original Text:

子曰不仁者不可以久处约不可以长处乐仁者安仁知者利仁

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Without Goodness, one cannot remain constant in adversity and cannot enjoy enduring happiness,

“Those who are Good feel at home in Goodness, whereas those who are clever follow Goodness because they feel that they will profit from it.”

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

The Master said, A person lacking in humanness can not endure straightened circumstances for long, nor can he enjoy favorable circumstances for long. The humane person rests in humaneness, the wise person profits form humaneness.

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

Analects 4.1

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Original Text:

子曰里仁为美择不处仁焉得知

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “To live in the neighborhood of the Good is fine. If one does not choose to dwell among those who are Good, how will one obtain wisdom?”

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

The Master said, Humaneness is the beauty of the community. If you can choose but do not make humaneness your home, how can you be called wise?

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

Analects 3.3

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Original Text:

子曰人而不仁如礼何人而不仁如乐何

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “A man who is not Good – what has he to do with ritual? A man who is not Good – what has he to do with music?”

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

The Master said, A human being who lacks humaneness – what is ritual to someone like that? A human being who lacks humaneness – what is music to someone like that?

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

Analects 1.2

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Original Text:

有子曰其为人也孝弟而好犯上者鲜矣不好犯上而好作乱者未之有也君子务本本立而道生孝弟也者其为仁之本与

Translation:

Other Translations:

Master You said, “A young person who is filial and respectful of his elders rarely becomes the kind of person who is inclined to defy his superiors, and there has never been a case of one who is disinclined to defy his superiors stirring up rebellion. The gentleman applies himself to the roots. ‘Once the roots are firmly established, the Way will grow.’ Might we not say that filial piety and respect for elders constitute the root of Goodness?”

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

Master You said, A man filial to his parents, a good brother, yet apt to go against his superiors – few are like that! The man who doesn’t like to go against his superiors but likes to plot rebellion – no such kind exists! The gentleman operates at the root. When the root is firm, then the Way may proceed. Filial and brotherly conduct – these are the root of humaneness, are they not?

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