Gentleman - Confucian Pages

Analects 20.3

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Original Text:

孔子曰不知命无以为君子也不知礼无以立也不知言无以知人也

Translation:

Other Translations:

Confucius said, “One who does not understand fate lacks the means to become a gentleman. One who does not understand ritual lacks the means to take his place. One who does not understand words lacks the means to evaluate others.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Confucius said, If you do not understand the will of Heaven, you will have no way to become a gentleman. If you do not understand ritual, you will have nowhere to take your stand. If you do not understand words, you will have no way to know people.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 19.25

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Original Text:

陈子禽谓子贡曰子为恭也仲尼岂贤于子乎子贡曰君子一言以为知一言以为不知言不可不慎也夫子之不可及也犹天之不可阶而升也夫子之得邦家者所谓立之斯立道之斯行绥之斯来动之斯和其生也荣其死也哀如之何其可及也

Translation:

Other Translations:

Chen Ziqin said to Zigong, “You show reverence to Confucius, but how could he be more worthy than you?”
Zigong replied, “A gentleman can be judged wise or unwise on the basis of a single comment—this is why one cannot fail to be careful in one’s speech. One cannot equal the Master anymore than one can climb a stairway to the heavens. Had the Master acquired control of a state or noble family, then, as they say: ‘When he raised them up, they would stand; when he led them forward they would advance; when he comforted them they would come; and when he moved them they would become harmonious.’ His birth was glorious and his death was universally mourned. How could anyone equal him?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Chen Ziqin said to Zigong, You are being too modest. How could Zhongni be a worthier man than you?
Zigong said, The gentleman speaks one word and shows that he is wise, speaks one word and shows that he is unwise. Therefore, he must be careful how he speaks. Our Master can no more be equaled than one can mount a stairway to the sky. If our Master were to preside over a state or a powerful family, then, as the saying has it, If he raised them, they would stand; if he led, they would go forward; if he chose peace, they would flock around; if he moved, they would move in harmony. In life he is glorious; in death, deeply mourned. How, then, could he be equaled?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 19.21

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Original Text:

子贡曰君子之过也如日月之食焉过也人皆见之更也人皆仰之

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zigong said, “A gentleman’s errors are like an eclipse of the sun or the moon: when he errs, everyone notices it, but when he makes amends, everyone looks up to him.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zigong said, The gentleman’s errors are like eclipses of the sun or moon. His errors can be seen by all, and when he corrects them, all look up in admiration.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 19.20

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Original Text:

子贡曰纣之不善不如是之甚也是以君子恶居下流天下之恶皆归焉

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zigong said, “Zhow’s wickedness was really not as extreme as they say. This is why the gentleman hates to dwell in low places, because all the badness in the world gathers there.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zigong said, Zhou was not really as evil as they say. That is why the gentleman hates to be held in low esteem—all the evil in the world ends up on him.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 19.12

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Original Text:

子游曰子夏之门人小子当洒扫应对进退则可矣抑末也本之则无如之何子夏闻之曰噫言游过矣君子之道孰先传焉孰后倦焉譬诸草木区以别矣君子之道焉可诬也有始有卒者其惟圣人乎

Translation:

Other Translations:

Ziyou said, “Among the disciples of Zixia, the younger ones are fairly competent when it comes to tasks such as mopping and sweeping, answering summons, and entering and retiring from formal company, but these are all superficialities. They are completely at a loss when it comes to mastering the basics. Why is this?”
When Zixia heard of this, he remarked, “Alas! Ziyou seems to have missed the point. Whose disciples will be the first to be taught the Way of the gentleman, and then in the end grow tired of it? It is like the grass and the trees: you make distinctions between them according to their kind. The Way of the gentleman, how can it be slandered so? Starting at the beginning and working through to the end—surely this describes none other than the sage!”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Ziyou said, The young men who are followers of Zixia are competent at sprinkling and sweeping, receiving and responding to guests, advancing and retiring. But these are minor affairs. Question them on fundamentals, and they have no answer. How can that be?
When Zixia heard this, he said, Ah—Ziyou is mistaken. In the Way of the gentleman, what is to be taught first, what can be put aside until later? It’s like the case of plants or trees, which require different types of handling. But the Way of the gentleman—how can it be handled incorrectly? And who understands it from beginning to end?—only the sage can do that!
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 19.9

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Original Text:

子夏曰君子有三变望之俨然即之也温听其言也厉

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zixia said, “The gentleman has three aspects: when you gaze upon him from afar, he appears grave and imposing; once you approach him, he appears mild and welcoming; and when you listen to his words, he appears strict and serious.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zixia said, The gentleman has three changes of appearance. Seen from a distance, he is austere. Approach more closely, and he is mild. Listen to his words, and he is sharp-spoken.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 19.4

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Original Text:

子夏曰虽小道必有可观者焉致远恐泥是以君子不为也

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zixia said, “Although the byways no doubt have their own interesting sights to see, one who wishes to reach a distant destination fears becoming mired. This is why the gentleman does not take the byways.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zixia said, Although it may be a lesser Way, it must have things worth noting. But if pursued too far, there’s a danger of becoming mired in it—therefore, the gentleman does not do so.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 17.24

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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 17.23

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Original Text:

子路曰君子尚勇乎子曰君子义以为上君子有勇而无义为乱小人有勇而无义为盗

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zilu asked, “Does the gentleman admire courage?”
The Master said, “The gentleman admires rightness above all. A gentleman who possessed courage but lacked a sense of rightness would create political disorder, while a common person who possessed courage but lacked a sense of rightness would become a bandit.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zilu said, Does the gentleman esteem courage? The Master said, The gentleman holds rightness in highest esteem. A gentleman who possesses courage but lacks rightness will become rebellious. A petty man who possesses courage but lacks rightness will turn to thievery.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 17.7

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Original Text:

佛肸召子欲往子路曰昔者由也闻诸夫子曰亲于其身为不善者君子不入也佛肸以中牟畔子之往也如之何子曰然有是言也不曰坚乎磨而不磷不曰白乎涅而不缁吾岂匏瓜也哉焉能系而不食

Translation:

Other Translations:

Bi Xi summoned Confucius, and the Master was inclined to go.
Zilu said, “In the past, Master, I have heard you say, ‘The gentleman does not enter into association with someone who treats badly those who are close to him.’ Bi Xi is using the city of Zhongmou to stage a rebellion against his superior. How could it be acceptable for you, Master, to go to him?”
The Master replied, “Yes, I have said that. But have I not also said, ‘[A gentleman is] so hard that grinding will not wear him down; so pure that dyeing will not stain him black’? Do you take me to be a bitter gourd, content to merely hang on a string without ever being eaten?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Bi Xi invited the Master to join him, and the Master wanted to go. Zilu said, In the past I have heard you say, When someone is personally doing what is not good, the gentleman will not go near him. Bi Xi has raised a revolt in Zhongmou. What reason could you have to go there?
The Master said, You are right—that’s what I said. But don’t people say, So hard, file it, but it never wears thin? And don’t they say, So white, dirty it, but it never turns black? Am I some sort of bitter melon? Can I go on hanging here and never be eaten?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.