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Analects 14.44

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Original Text:

阙党童子将命或问之曰益者与子曰吾见其居于位也见其与先生并行也非求益者也欲速成者也

Translation:

Other Translations:

A boy from the Que district came bearing a message to Confucius. Someone asked Confucius about him, saying, “Is this someone who is likely to improve himself?”
The Master replied, “I observed him sitting in the presence of adults, and also walking alongside his elders. He is not looking to improve himself, but is just after quick success.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

A young boy of the village of Que was assigned to carry messages. Someone asked Confucius about him, saying, Is he improving himself?
The Master said, I’ve seen him sit in the seat for adults, seen him walk shoulder to shoulder with his elders. He’s not trying to improve himself—he’s just in a hurry to be treated as a grownup.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Other Translations:

Zixia, who was serving as steward of Jifu, asked about governing.

The Master said, “Do not crave speed, and do not be enticed by the prospect of minor gains. If you crave speed, then you will never arrive, and if you are distracted by the prospect of minor gains you will never complete major tasks.”

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

When Zixia became steward of Jufu, he asked about government. The Master said, Don’t try to hurry things; don’t go after petty gain. Try to hurry, and you accomplish nothing. Go after petty gain, and the big undertakings won’t succeed.

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