Government

Analects 2.19

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Original Text:

哀公问曰何为则民服孔子对曰举直错诸枉则民服举枉错诸直则民不服

Translation:

Other Translations:

Duke Ai asked, “What can I do to induce the common people to be obedient?”

Confucius replied, “Raise up the straight and apply them to the crooked, and the people will submit to you. If you raise up the crooked and apply them to the straight, the people will never submit.”

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

Duke Ai asked, saying, How can I make the common people submissive? Confucius replied, Promote the straight and let them oversee the crooked – then the common people will be submissive. Promoted the crooked and let them oversee the straight – then the common people will not be submissive.

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

Analects 2.18

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Original Text:

子张学干禄子曰多闻阙疑慎言其余则寡尤多见阙殆慎行其余则寡悔言寡尤行寡悔禄在其中矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zizhang asked about obtaining official position.

Confucius said, “If you first learn as much as you can, then guard against that which is dubious and speak carefully about the rest, you will seldom speak in error. If you first observe as much as you can, then guard against that which is perilous and carefully put the rest into action, you will seldom have cause for regret. If in your speech you seldom err, and in your behavior you seldom have cause for regret, an official position will follow naturally.”

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

Zizhang was studying to gain an official position. The Master said, Hear much, put aside what’s doubtful, and in your speech apply the rest with caution – then you’ll make few mistakes. Observe much, put aside what’s suspicious, and in your actions apply the rest with caution – then you’ll have little to regret. Making few mistakes, having little to regret – the way to official position lies in this.

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

Analects 2.3

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Original Text:

子曰道之以政齐之以刑民免而无耻道之以德齐之以礼有耻且格

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “If you try to guide the common people with coercive regulations and keep them in line with punishments, the common people will become evasive and will have no sense of shame. If, however, you guide them with Virtue, and keep them in line by means of ritual, the people will have a sense of shame and will rectify themselves.”

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

The Master said, Guide them with government orders, regulate them with penalties, and the people will seek to evade the law and be without shame. Guide them with virtue, regulate them with ritual, and they will have a sense of shame and become upright.

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

Analects 2.1

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Original Text:

子曰为政以德譬如北辰居其所而众星共之

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “One who rules through the power of Virtue is analogous to the Pole Star: it simply remains in its place and receives the homage of the myriad lesser stars.”

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

The Master said, Conduct government in accordance with virtue, and it will be like the North Star standing in its place, with all the other stars paying court to it.

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

Analects 1.10

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Original Text:

子禽问于子贡曰夫子至于是邦也必闻其政求之与抑与之与子贡曰夫子温良恭俭让以得之夫子之求之也其诸异乎人之求之与

Translation:

Other Translations:

Ziqin asked Zigong, “When our Master arrives in a state, he invariably finds out about its government. Does he actively seek out this information? Surely it is not simply offered to him!”

Zigong answered, “Out Master obtains it through being courteous, refined, respectful, restrained and deferential. The Master’s way of seeking it is entirely different from other people’s way of seeking it, is it not?

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

Ziqin questioned Zigong, saying, When the Maaster goes to a particular state, he is certain to learn about its government. Does he seek such information? Or do others just give it to him?

Zigong said, The Master goes about it by being cordial, forthright, respectful, modest, and deferential. The Master’s way of seeking is different from that of others.

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