子曰过而不改是谓过矣
The Master said, “To make a mistake and yet to not change your ways—this is what is called truly making a mistake.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, To make a mistake and not correct it is to make a mistake indeed.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
子曰晋文公谲而不正齐桓公正而不谲
The Master said, “Duke Wen of Jin was crafty, but not correct, whereas Duke Huan of Qi was correct, but not crafty.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, Duke Wen of Jin used devious methods, not upright ones. Duke Huan of Qi used upright methods, not devious ones.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
子曰其身正不令而行其身不正虽令不从
The Master said, “When the ruler is correct, his will is put into effect without the need for official orders. When the ruler’s person is not correct, he will not be obeyed no matter how many orders he issues.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, If the person himself is correct, then although you do not order him to do so, he will act. But if the person himself is not correct, then although you order him, he will not obey.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
季康子问政于孔子孔子对曰政者正也子帅以正孰敢不正
Ji Kangzi asked Confucius about governing.
Confucius responded, “To ‘govern’ means to be ‘correct’. If you set an example by being correct yourself, who will dare to be incorrect?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Ji Kangzi asked Confucius about government. Confucius replied, To govern is to put to rights. If you lead in the right direction, who will dare do what is not right?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
