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Analects 7.29

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seven

Original Text:

互乡难与言童子见门人惑子曰与其进也不与其退也唯何甚人洁己以进与其洁也不保其往也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The people of Hu Village were difficult to talk with [about the Way]. Therefore, when a young boy from the village presented himself for an interview, the disciples hesitated to let him in.
The Master said, “In allowing him to enter, I am not endorsing what he does after he retires. Why are you being so extreme? If a person purifies himself to enter, I accept his purification—I make no guarantees about what he will do once he leaves.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The people of Hu village are hard to talk to. A young man came for an interview with the Master. His disciples were troubled by this.
The Master said, My concern was with what brought him, not with what he did after he left. What was so wrong about that? When a person comes to you in good faith, give him credit for the good faith. Don’t expect guarantees for what comes after.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 7.17

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seven

Original Text:

子曰加我数年五十以学易可以无大过矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “If I were granted many more years, and could devote fifty of them to learning, surely I would be able to be free of major faults.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, Give me a few more years—if I have fifty years to study, then perhaps I, too, can avoid any great errors.
[Or, according to the more widely accepted Ku text:] if I have fifty years to study the Book of Changes, then perhaps I, too, can avoid any great errors.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 7.3

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seven

Original Text:

子曰德之不修学之不讲闻义不能徙不善不能改是吾忧也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “That I fail to cultivate Virtue, that I fail to inquire more deeply into that which I have learned, that upon hearing what is right I remain unable to move myself to do it, and that I prove unable to reform when I have done something wrong—such potential failings are a source of constant worry to me.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, Virtue not sufficiently practiced, learning not sufficiently digested, to hear what is right and not be able to do it, to have shortcomings and not be able to remedy them—these are the things that I worry about.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 6.3

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Six

Original Text:

哀公问弟子孰为好学孔子对曰有颜回者好学不迁怒不贰过不幸短命死矣今也则亡未闻好学者也

Translation:

Other Translations:

Duke Ai asked, “Who among your disciples might be said to love learning?”
Confucius answered, “There was one named Yan Hui who loved learning. He never misdirected his anger and never made the same mistake twice. Unfortunately, his allotted lifespan was short, and he has passed away. Now that he is gone, there are none who really love learning—at least, I have yet to hear of one.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Duke Ai questioned Confucius, saying, Who among your disciples loves learning?
Confucius replied, There was Yan Hui—he loved learning, never took his anger out on others, never repeated his mistakes. Regrettably, he had a short life and is dead now. Since then, there are none who love learning, or none I’ve heard of.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 5.27

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Five

Original Text:

子曰已矣乎吾未见能见其过而内自讼者也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “I should just give up! I have yet to meet someone who is able to perceive his own faults and then take himself to task inwardly.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, It’s hopeless! I have yet to see anyone who can recognize his faults, look inside himself, and put the blame there.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 4.7

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Four

Original Text:

子曰人之过也各于其党观过斯知仁矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “People are true to type with regard to what sort of mistakes they make. Observe closely the sort of mistakes a person makes – then you will know his character.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, People’s errors vary with the category they belong to. Look at the errors, and you know the degree of humaneness.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 2.18

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Two

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 1.8

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book One

Original Text:

子曰君子不重则不威学则不固主忠信无友不如己者过则勿惮改

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “If a gentleman is not serious, he will not inspire awe, and what he learns will be grasped only superficially. Let your actions be governed by dutifulness and trustworthiness, and do not accept as a friend 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, If the gentleman lacks gravity, he won’t command respect. If he studies he will avoid narrow-mindedness. 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.