Loyalty - Confucian Pages

Analects 12.23

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Twelve

Original Text:

子贡问友子曰忠告而善道之不可则止毋自辱焉

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zigong asked about friendship.
The Master replied, “Reprove your friend when dutifulness requires, but do so gently. If your words are not accepted then desist, lest you incur insult.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zigong asked how to deal with friends. The Master said, Advise them in a loyal manner; lead them with goodness. But if you get nowhere, then stop. No use to bring shame on yourself.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 12.14

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Original Text:

子张问政子曰居之无倦行之以忠

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zizhang asked about governing.
The Master replied, “Occupy your position without wearying and conduct your business in a dutiful manner.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zizhang asked about government. The Master said, While you’re engaged in it, never be negligent. Act in accordance with loyalty.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 9.25

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Nine

Original Text:

子曰主忠信毋友不如己者过则勿惮改

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Let your actions be governed by dutifulness and trustworthiness, and do not accept as a friend one who is not your equal. If you have committed a transgression, do not be afraid to change your ways.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, Put prime value on loyalty and trustworthiness, have no friends who are not your equal, and, if you make mistakes, don’t be afraid to correct them.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 7.25

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Original Text:

子以四教文行忠信

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master taught four things: cultural refinement, comportment, dutifulness, and trustworthiness.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master taught four things: culture, behavior, loyalty, trustworthiness.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 4.15

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Four

Original Text:

子曰参乎吾道一以贯之曾子曰唯子出门人问曰何谓也曾子曰夫子之道忠恕而已矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Master Zeng! All that I teach can be strung together on a single thread.”
“Yes, sir.” Master Zeng responded.
After the Master left, the disciples asked, “What did he mean by that?”
Master Zeng said, “All that the Master teaches amounts to nothing more than dutifulness tempered by understanding.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, Shen (Master Zeng), my Way has one theme running throughout!
Master Zeng said, Yes.
After the Master left, the disciples asked What did he mean?
Master Zeng said, The Master’s Way consists of loyalty and reciprocity alone.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 3.19

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Three

Original Text:

定公问君使臣臣事君如之何孔子对曰君使臣以礼臣事君以忠

Translation:

Other Translations:

Duke Ding asked, “How should a lord employ his ministers? How should a minister serve his lord?”
Confucius replied, “A lord should employ his minsters with ritual, and ministers should serve their lord with dutifulness.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Duke Ding asked how the ruler should treat his ministers and how the ministers should serve the ruler. Confucius replied, The ruler should treat his ministers in accordance with ritual. The minsters should serve the ruler with loyalty.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.