Learned

Analects 12.15

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Original Text:

子曰博学于文约之以礼亦可以弗畔矣夫

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Someone who is broadly learned with regard to culture, and whose conduct is restrained by the rites, can be counted upon to not go astray.”

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

The Master said, Acquire broad learning in cultural matters, focus it through ritual, and you are hardly likely to go far astray—isn’t that so?

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

Analects 11.25

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eleven

Original Text:

子路使子羔为费宰子曰贼夫人之子子路曰有民人焉有社稷焉何必读书然后为学子曰是故恶夫佞者

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zilu dispatched Zigao to serve as the steward of [the Ji Family stronghold of] Bi.

The Master remarked, “You are harming another man’s son.”

Zilu replied, “There are people there for him to govern, and altars to the soil and grain for him to maintain. Why must we think that it is only by reading books that one can be considered learned?”

The Master answered, “It is for precisely this reason that I despise those who are glib.”

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

Zilu appointed Zigao to be steward of Bi. The Master said, You are doing harm to another man’s son.

Zilu said, He has the people he needs and the altars of the soil and grain. Why must one read books before he is regarded as learned?

The Master said, That’s why I hate smart-alecky people!

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