Master Zeng said, “A scholar-official must be strong and resolute, for his burden is heavy and his way is long. He takes up Goodness as his own personal burden—is it not heavy? His way ends only with death—is it not long?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Master Zeng said, The man of station must be both broad-minded and resolute. His burden is heavy, and the road is long. Humaneness is the burden he is charged with—heavy, is it not? The road ends only with death—long, is it not?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Master Zeng was gravely ill, and Meng Jingzi came to inquire about his health.
Master Zeng said to him, “When a bird is about to die, its call is mournful and touching. When a person is about to die, his words should be heeded. There are three things that are important for a gentleman pursuing the Way: by altering his behavioral demeanor, he avoids violence and arrogance; by rectifying his countenance, he welcomes trustworthiness; and in his choice of words and tone of voice, he avoids vulgarity and impropriety. As for the details of handling sacrificial vessels, there are minor officials to deal with that.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
When Master Zeng was ill, Meng Jing Zi asked how he was.
Master Zeng spoke these words: When a bird is about to die, its cries are sad. When a man is about to die, his words are good. With regard to the Way, there are three things the gentleman prizes: in his actions and manner, that he be far from harshness or arrogance; in ordering his appearance, that he stick close to trustworthiness; in his utterances, that they be far from crude or unseemly. As for the sacrificial baskets and stands, there are experts to tend to such matters.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Duke Ai asked, “Who among your disciples might be said to love learning?”
Confucius answered, “There was one named Yan Hui who loved learning. He never misdirected his anger and never made the same mistake twice. Unfortunately, his allotted lifespan was short, and he has passed away. Now that he is gone, there are none who really love learning—at least, I have yet to hear of one.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Duke Ai questioned Confucius, saying, Who among your disciples loves learning?
Confucius replied, There was Yan Hui—he loved learning, never took his anger out on others, never repeated his mistakes. Regrettably, he had a short life and is dead now. Since then, there are none who love learning, or none I’ve heard of.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Zizhang said, “Prime Minister Ziwen was given three times the post of prime minister, and yet he never showed a sign of pleasure; he was removed from this office three times, and yet never showed a sign of resentment. When the incoming prime minister took over, he invariably provided him with a complete account of the official state of affairs. What do you make of Prime Minister Ziwen?”
The Master said, “He certainly was dutiful.”
“Was he not Good?”
“I do not know about that—what makes you think he deserves to be called Good?”
“When Cuizi assassinated the Lord of Qi, Chen Wenzi—whose estate amounted to ten teams of horses—abandoned all that he possessed and left the state. Upon reaching another state, he said, ‘The officials here are as bad as our Great Officer Cuizi,’ and thereupon left that state. Again, after going to another state, he said, ‘The officials here are as bad as our Great Officer Cuizi,’ and thereupon left that state as well. What do you make of Chen Wenzi?”
The Master said, “He certainly was pure.”
“Was he not Good?”
“I do not know about that—what makes you think he deserves to be called Good?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Zizhang asked, saying, Ziwen, the prime minister of Chu, served three times as prime minister but showed no sign of delight, and three times was dismissed from the post but showed no sign of resentment. As former prime minister, he invariably reported to the new prime minister on affairs of state. What do you think of this?
The Master said, He acted with loyalty.
Was he humane?
I don’t know how he can be called humane.
Cui Zi assassinated the ruler of Qi. Chen Wen Zi, who for his carriages owned ten four-horse teams, abandoned them and left the state. When he arrived in another state, he said, The people here are no better than our high official Cui Zi! and he left that state. Arriving in another state, he said, More like our high official Cui Zi! and he left that state, too. What would you say of him?
The Master said, A man of integrity.
Was he humane?
I don’t know how he can be called humane.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
The Master exclaimed, “What a noble question! When it comes to ritual, it is better to be pare than extravagant. When it comes to mourning, it is better to be excessively sorrowful than fastidious.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Lin Fang asked what is basic in ritual. The Master said, A big question indeed! In rites in general, rather than extravagance, better frugality. In funeral rites, rather than thoroughness, better real grief.”
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Meng Yizi asked about filial piety. The Master replied, “Do not disobey.”
Later, Fan Chi was driving the Master’s chariot. The Master said to him, “Just now Meng Yizi asked me about filial piety, and I answered, ‘Do not disobey.'”
Fan Chi said, “What did you mean by that?”
The Master replied, “When your parents are alive, serve them in accordance with the rites; when they pass away, bury them in accordance with the rites and sacrifice to them in accordance with the rites.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Meng Yi Zi asked about filial devotion. The Master replied, Never break the rules.
When Fan Chi was driving the carriage, the Master reported this to him, saying, Meng Sun (Meng Yi Zi) asked me about filial devotion. I told him, Never break the rules.
Fan Chi said, What did you mean by that?
The Master said, While they are alive, serve them according to ritual. When they die, bury them according to ritual, and sacrifice to them in accord with ritual.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
Master Zeng said, “Take great care in seeing off the deceased and sedulously maintain the sacrifices to your distant ancestors, and the common people will sincerely return to Virtue.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
Master Zeng said, Tend carefully to death rites, and pay reverence to those long departed, and the people will in the end be rich in virtue.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.
