Conduct - Confucian Pages

Analects 12.15

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Twelve

Original Text:

子曰博学于文约之以礼亦可以弗畔矣夫

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Someone who is broadly learned with regard to culture, and whose conduct is restrained by the rites, can be counted upon to not go astray.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, Acquire broad learning in cultural matters, focus it through ritual, and you are hardly likely to go far astray—isn’t that so?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 12.14

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Twelve

Original Text:

子张问政子曰居之无倦行之以忠

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zizhang asked about governing.
The Master replied, “Occupy your position without wearying and conduct your business in a dutiful manner.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zizhang asked about government. The Master said, While you’re engaged in it, never be negligent. Act in accordance with loyalty.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 11.3

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eleven

Original Text:

德行颜渊闵子骞冉伯牛仲弓言语宰我子贡政事冉有季路文学子游子夏

Translation:

Other Translations:

Those known for virtuous conduct: Yan Hui, Min Ziqian, Boniu, and Zhonggong. Those known for eloquence: Zai Wo and Zigong. Those known for administrative skill: Ran Qiu and Jilu. Those known for cultural learning: Ziyou and Zixia.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

VIRTUOUS CONDUCT: Yan Yuan, Min Ziqian, Ran Boniu, Zhonggong
SKILL IN LANGUAGE: Zai Wo, Zigong
ADMINISTRATIVE ABILITY: Ran You, Jilu
CULTURAL ATTAINMENT: Ziyou, Zixia
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 7.29

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seven

Original Text:

互乡难与言童子见门人惑子曰与其进也不与其退也唯何甚人洁己以进与其洁也不保其往也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The people of Hu Village were difficult to talk with [about the Way]. Therefore, when a young boy from the village presented himself for an interview, the disciples hesitated to let him in.
The Master said, “In allowing him to enter, I am not endorsing what he does after he retires. Why are you being so extreme? If a person purifies himself to enter, I accept his purification—I make no guarantees about what he will do once he leaves.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The people of Hu village are hard to talk to. A young man came for an interview with the Master. His disciples were troubled by this.
The Master said, My concern was with what brought him, not with what he did after he left. What was so wrong about that? When a person comes to you in good faith, give him credit for the good faith. Don’t expect guarantees for what comes after.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 6.2

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Six

Original Text:

仲弓问子桑伯子子曰可也简仲弓曰居敬而行简以临其民不亦可乎居简而行简无乃大简乎子曰雍之言然

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zhonggong asked about Zisang Bozi.
The Master replied, “He is simple, and therefore acceptable.”
Zhonggong said, “To watch over the people by occupying one’s position with respect and being simple in one’s conduct—this is no doubt acceptable. To occupy one’s position with simplicity and also to be simple in one’s conduct, however, seems to me to be taking simplicity too far.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zhonggong asked about Zisang Bozi. The Master said, He will do—he’s lenient in nature.
Zhonggong said, If he is strict with himself but lenient when it comes to overseeing the common people, will that be all right? If one is lenient with himself and behaves toward others in a lenient manner, that’s too much leniency, isn’t it?
The Master said, What you say is correct.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 4.17

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Four

Original Text:

子曰见贤思齐焉见不贤而内自省也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “When you see someone who is worthy, concentrate upon becoming their equal; when you see someone who is unworthy, use this as an opportunity to look within yourself.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, When you see a worthy person, think about how you can equal him. When you see an unworthy person, reflect on your own conduct.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.