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Analects 20.1

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Twenty

Original Text:

尧曰咨尔舜天之历数在尔躬允执其中四海困穷天禄永终舜亦以命禹

曰予小子履敢用玄牡敢昭告于皇皇后帝有罪不敢赦帝臣不蔽简在帝心朕躬有罪无以万方万方有罪罪在朕躬

周有大赉善人是富虽有周亲不如仁人百姓有过在予一人

谨权量审法度修废官四方之政行焉兴灭国继绝世举逸民天下之民归心焉

所重民食丧祭

宽则得众信则民任焉敏则有功公则说

Translation:

Correction: Line two fourth character should be a proper name Lu.

Other Translations:

Yao said, “Oh, you Shun! The orderly succession of Heaven now rests upon your shoulders. Hold faithfully to the mean. If those within the Four Seas should fall into hardship and poverty, Heaven’s emoluments will be cut off from you forever.”

Shun charged Yu with the same words.

[Tang] said, “I, your little child Lü, dare to offer up a black bull in sacrifice, and make so bold as to plainly declare to you, my Most August Sovereign Lord, that I do not dare to pardon those who have committed offenses. Your servant, Lord, conceals nothing; examine my actions with your mind, oh Lord. If I should personally commit an offense, let not the punishment be visited upon the inhabitants of the myriad regions; if the inhabitants of the myriad regions commit offenses, let the punishment be visited upon me personally.”

The Zhou were generously endowed, rich in excellent men.

[King Wu said,] “Though I may have many close kinsmen, it is better to employ Good men. If any of the Hundred Clans commit a transgression, let the punishment be visited upon me alone.”

He was scrupulous about weights and measures, carefully examined models and regulations, restored neglected official posts, and the administration of the four quarters was thereby carried out.

He restored destroyed states, re-established interrupted lines of succession, raised lost people back into prominence, and the hearts and minds of all the people in the world turned to him.

He gave weight to the people, food, mourning, and sacrifice.

Generous, he won over the masses. Trustworthy, the people put their faith in him. Diligent, he was successful. Just, [the people] were pleased.

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

Yao said, Ah, you, Shun—the destiny decreed by Heaven rests with you. Hold sincerely to the center. If those within the four seas suffer hardship and want, Heaven’s bounty will end forever.

And Shun voiced the same command [when he ceded the throne] to Yu.

[Tang] said, I, the little one, Lu, venture to sacrifice this black ox, I venture to report clearly to the most august Lord above. The guilty one I have not ventured to pardon, but I do nothing to hinder the Lord’s officials. May they be chosen in accordance with the Lord’s will. If there is blame on my part, let the ten thousand regions not suffer. If the ten thousand regions have any blame, let that blame rest on me.

Zhou has received great gifts; good persons are enriched. Although Zhou has kinsmen, they cannot equal persons of humaneness. If the people have any fault, may the blame be upon me alone.

Carefully adjust the weights and measures; clarify the laws and regulations; restore offices that have been discontinued—then the governing of the four directions will proceed. Reestablish states that have been wiped out; appoint heirs to successions that have come to an end; promote men who have gone into hiding—then the people of the empire will give their hearts to you. What is to be held in esteem: the people, food, mourning, and sacrifice.

Be tolerant, and you win over the multitude. Be trustworthy, and the people will trust you. Be diligent, and your work will go well. Be fair, and the people will rejoice.

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

Analects 19.20

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Nineteen

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 19.16

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Nineteen

Original Text:

曾子曰堂堂乎张也难与并为仁矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

Master Zeng said, “How full of himself Zizhang is! It is hard to be Good in the company of such a person as this.”

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

Master Zeng said, Zizhang is imposing indeed, but side by side with one like that it’s hard to achieve humaneness.

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

Analects 19.15

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Nineteen

Original Text:

子游曰吾友张也为难能也然而未仁

Translation:

Other Translations:

Ziyou said, “It is difficult to measure up to my friend Zizhang, but even so he is still not Good.”

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

Ziyou said, My friend Zizhang can do difficult things, but he has not yet mastered humaneness.

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

Analects 18.1

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eighteen

Original Text:

微子去之箕子为之奴比干谏而死孔子曰殷有三仁焉

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master of Wei left his side, the Master of Ji became his slave, and Bi Gan remonstrating with him and was therefore put to death. Confucius said, “In them, the Shang had three Good men.”

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

Weizi left the state; Jizi became a slave; Bi Gan reprimanded him and was killed. Confucius said, The Yin had three who were humane.

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

Analects 17.7

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seventeen

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.

Analects 17.1

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seventeen

Original Text:

阳货欲见孔子孔子不见归孔子豚孔子时其亡也而往拜之遇诸途谓孔子曰来予与尔言曰怀其宝而迷其邦可谓仁乎曰不可好从事而亟失时可谓知乎曰不可日月逝矣岁不我与孔子曰诺吾将仕矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

Yang Huo wanted to have an audience with Confucius, but Confucius would not see him. Yang Huo therefore sent Confucius a suckling pig as a gift. Confucius waited until Yang Huo was not at home before going to offer his thanks, but ended up running into Yang Huo on the road.

Yang Huo called out to Confucius, “Come! I would like to speak with you.” [After Confucius approached him,] he said, “Clutching a treasure to one’s bosom, and thereby letting the state go to ruin—could this be called Good?”

Confucius replied, “No, it could not.”

“Being eager to serve, but repeatedly missing opportunities to do so—could this be called wise?”

Confucius replied, “No, it could not.”

“The days and months are slipping away, and time is not on our side.”

“Very well,” Confucius said. “I will enter official service.”

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

Yang Huo (Yang Hu?) wanted to see Confucius, but Confucius refused to see him. He then sent Confucius a suckling pig. Confucius, choosing a time when Yang was not at home, went to express thanks for the gift, but he happened to meet Yang in the street. Addressing Confucius, Yang Huo said, Come—I have something to say to you. You hide in your heart a wealth of talent and yet let your country go astray. Can that be called humaneness? Of course not! You long to hold office and yet time and again miss the chance to do so. Can that be called wisdom? Of course not! The days and months fly by, time does not work in our favor!

Confucius said, Very well—I will take public office.

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

Analects 16.11

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Sixteen

Original Text:

孔子曰见善如不及见不善如探汤吾见其人矣吾闻其语矣隐居以求其志行义以达其道吾闻其语矣未见其人也

Translation:

Other Translations:

Confucius said, “ ‘Seeing goodness, and striving for it urgently, as if never able catch up; seeing badness, and recoiling as if scalded by hot water’—I have seen such people, and have heard such words.”

“ ‘Dwelling in seclusion in order to pursue one’s aspirations, practicing rightness in order to realize the Way’—I have heard such words, but have yet to see such a person.”

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

Confucius said, He sees what is good and acts as though he could never attain it, sees what is not good and acts as though he had put his hand in scalding water—I’ve seen people like that and heard reports of their kind. He lives in seclusion in order to fulfill his aims, practices rightness in order to perfect his Way—I’ve heard reports of such people but never actually seen them.

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

Analects 15.36

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fifteen

Original Text:

子曰当仁不让于师

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “When it comes to being Good, defer to no one, not even your teacher.”

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

The Master said, In matters of humaneness, do not defer even to your teacher.

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

Analects 15.33

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fifteen

Original Text:

子曰知及之仁不能守之虽得之必失之知及之仁能守之不庄以涖之则民不敬知及之仁能守之庄以涖之动之不以礼未善也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “If your wisdom reaches it, but your Goodness cannot protect it, then even though you may have attained it, you are sure to eventually lose it. If your wisdom reaches it, and your Goodness is able to protect it, but you cannot manifest it with dignity, then the common people will not be respectful. If your wisdom reaches it, your Goodness is able to protect it, and you can manifest it with dignity, but you do not use ritual to put it into motion, it will never be truly excellent.”

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

The Master said, You might have sufficient knowledge to gain a position, but if you do not have the humaneness needed to hold on to it, then although you gain it, you will surely lose it. You might have sufficient knowledge to gain a position and the humaneness needed to hold on to it, but if you do not administer it with dignity, the common people will not respect you. You might have sufficient knowledge to gain a position, the humaneness needed to hold on to it, and may administer it with dignity, but if your actions do not accord with ritual, the results will be less than good.

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