Envoy

Analects 14.25

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Original Text:

蘧伯玉使人于孔子孔子与之坐而问焉曰夫子何为对曰夫子欲寡其过而未能也使者出子曰使乎使乎

Translation:

Other Translations:

Qu Boyu sent a messenger to Confucius. Confucius sat down beside him and asked, “How are things with your Master?”

The messenger replied, “My Master wishes to reduce his faults, but has not yet been able to do so.”

After the messenger left, the Master said, “Now that is a messenger! That is a messenger!”

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

Qu Boyu sent a messenger to Confucius. Confucius seated him at his side and questioned him, saying, What does your master do?

The messenger replied, My master endeavors to lessen his faults, though he is not yet entirely successful.

After the messenger left, the Master said, What a messenger, what a messenger!

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

Analects 14.8

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Original Text:

子曰为命裨谌草创之世叔讨论之行人子羽修饰之东里子产润色之

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “In preparing diplomatic orders, Zichan of East Village would have Bi Chen go into the country and draft it, Shi Shu critique and discuss it, the foreign minister Ziyu edit and ornament it, and then finally Zichan himself would mark it with his own unique style.”

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

The Master said, When government proclamations were being drawn up, Pi Chen made the first draft; Shi Shu examined it; Ziyu, the official in charge of envoys, polished it; and Zichan of Dongli added the finishing touches.

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

Analects 13.5

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Original Text:

子曰诵诗三百授之以政不达使于四方不能专对虽多亦奚以为

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Imagine a person who can recite the several hundred odes by heart but, when delegated a governmental task, is unable to carry it out, or when sent abroad as an envoy, is unable to engage in repartee. No matter how many odes he might have memorized, what good are they to him?”

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

The Master said, A man may be able to recite all three hundred odes, but if you assign him as an envoy to some neighboring state and he can’t give his answers unassisted, then no matter how many odes he might know, what good is he?

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