Faults

Analects 17.24

Original Text:

子贡曰君子亦有恶乎子曰有恶恶称人之恶者恶居下流而讪上者恶勇而无礼者恶果敢而窒者曰赐也亦有恶乎恶徼以为知者恶不孙以为勇者恶讦以为直者

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zigong asked, “Does the gentleman also have those whom he despises?”

The Master replied, “Yes, he does. He despises those who proclaim the faults of others; those who, occupying an inferior position, slander their superiors; those who are courageous but lack ritual; and those who are resolute and daring, but overly stubborn.”

“Do you, Zigong, also have those whom you despise?”

Zigong said, “I despise those who parrot others’ ideas and mistake this for wisdom; those who mistake insubordination for courage; and those who mistake the malicious exposing of other’s private affairs for uprightness.”

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

Zigong asked, Does the gentleman too have things he hates? The Master said, He has his hates. He hates those who go on about what is hateful in others. He hates those in low position who revile those above them. He hates courage that ignores ritual decorum; he hates firmness and decision that is not open-minded.

Zigong said, I too have things I hate. I hate plagiarists who pretend to be wise. I hate unruly people who pretend to be courageous. I hate scandal mongerers who pretend to be upright.

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

Analects 14.25

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.