Eloquence

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 6.16

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Six

Original Text:

子曰不有祝鮀之佞而有宋朝之美难乎免于今之世矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “These days it is hard to get by without possessing either the glibness of Priest Tuo or the physical beauty of Song Chao.”

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

The Master said, If you have the good looks of Song Zhao but lack the eloquence of Invocator Tuo, you’ll have a hard time escaping blame in the world today.

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

Analects 5.5

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Five

Original Text:

或曰雍也仁而不佞子曰焉用佞御人以口给屡憎于人不知其仁焉用佞

Translation:

Other Translations:

Someone said, “Zhonggong is Good but not eloquent.”

The Master said, “Of what use is ‘eloquence’? If you go about responding to everyone with a clever tongue you will often incur resentment. I do not know whether or not Zhonggong is Good, but of what use is eloquence?”

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

Someone said of Yong, He is humane but lacking in eloquence.

The Master said, Why does he need to be eloquent? People who overwhelm others with their glibness often end up hated by others. I don’t know if Yong is humane, but why does he need to be eloquent?

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