Frugal

Analects 9.3

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Nine

Original Text:

子曰麻冕礼也今也纯俭吾从众拜下礼也今拜乎上泰也虽违众吾从下

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “A ceremonial cap made of linen is prescribed by the rites, but these days people use silk. This is frugal, and I follow the majority. To bow before ascending the stairs is what is prescribed by the rites, but these days people bow after ascending. This is arrogant, and—though it goes against the majority—I continue to bow before ascending.”

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

The Master said, Ritual calls for caps of hemp, though nowadays silk is used, because it is more economical. I go along with others in this.

Ritual calls for one to bow at the foot of the stairs. Nowadays people bow at the top of the stairs, but this is presumptuous. Although it means differing from others, I perform the bow at the foot of the stairs.

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

Analects 7.36

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seven

Original Text:

子曰奢则不孙俭则固与其不孙也宁固

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Extravagance leads to presumption, while frugality leads to shabbiness. Compared to presumption, though, shabbiness is to be preferred.”

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

Analects 3.22

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Three

Original Text:

子曰管仲之器小哉或曰管仲俭乎曰管氏有三归官事不摄焉得俭然则管仲知礼乎曰邦君树塞门管氏亦树塞门邦君为两君之好有反坫管氏亦有反坫管氏而知礼孰不知礼

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Guan Zhong’s vessel was of small capacity.”

Someone asked, “Do you mean that he was frugal?”

The Master replied, “Guan maintained three separate residences and had a separate staff member for each duty. How could be called frugal?”

“Well, then, do you mean to say that Guan Zhong understood ritual?”

The Master replied, “The lord of a state erects a wall in front of his gate, and Guan did the same. The lord of a state, when entertaining other lords, has a stand upon which to place the drinking ups after the toast, and Guan also had one of these. If Guan understood ritual, who does not understand it?”

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

The Master said, Guan Zhong was a man of small parts!

Someone objected, saying, Guan Zhong was noted for frugality, was he not?

The Master said, Guan Zhong had his Three Returning mansion, and he did not require his staff to perform double duties – how can that be called frugal?

But, said the other person, Guan Zhong understood ritual, did he not?

The Master said, Rulers of states put up gate screens, and Mr. Guan put up a gate screen too. Rulers of states, when entertaining another ruler, have a stand for inverted wine cups, and Mr. Guan had a stand for inverted wine cups too. If Mr. Guan understood ritual, who doesn’t understand ritual?

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

Analects 1.5

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book One

Original Text:

子曰道千乘之国敬事而信节用而爱人使民以时

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “To guide a state of one thousand chariots, be respectful in your handing of affairs and display trustworthiness; be frugal in your expenditures and cherish others; and employ the common people only at the proper times.”

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

The Master said, Guiding a state of a thousand chariots, be attentive to affairs and trustworthy, frugal in expenditures and sparing of others. Employ the common people only at proper times.

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