Music - Confucian Pages

Analects 11.1

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eleven

Original Text:

子曰先进于礼乐野人也后进于礼乐君子也如用之则吾从先进

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Those of my disciples who were first to enter into study of ritual and music with me were simple rustics, whereas those who entered later were aristocrats. If I had to employ them [in public office], I would prefer the first.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, Older people, when it comes to rites and music, are mere rustics. Younger people, in matters of rites and music, are true gentlemen. But when it comes to usage, I follow the older people.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 9.15

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Nine

Original Text:

子曰吾自卫反鲁然后乐正雅颂各得其所

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Only after I returned to Lu from Wei was music rectified, with both the Ya and Song put into proper order.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, When I returned from Wei to Lu, only then was the music put in order, and the “Ya” and “Song” found their proper places.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 8.15

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eight

Original Text:

子曰师挚之始关雎之乱洋洋乎盈耳哉

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “From the time Music Master Zhi begins, to the closing strains of the ‘Cry of the Osprey’—how one’s ears are filled with a wondrous ocean of sound!”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, When Music Master Zhi has begun and reached the conclusion of the Guanju ode, what a torrent of sound fills our ears!
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 8.8

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eight

Original Text:

子曰兴于诗立于礼成于乐

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Find inspiration in the Odes, take your place through ritual, and achieve perfection with music.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, Get your start with the Odes; acquire a firm standing through ritual; complete the process with music.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 7.14

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seven

Original Text:

子在齐闻韶三月不知肉味曰不图为乐之至于斯也

Translation:

Other Translations:

When the Master was in the state of Qi, he heard the Shao music, and for three months after did not even notice the taste of meat. He said, “I never imagined that music could be so sublime.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

When the Master was in Qi, he heard the Shao music and for three months no longer knew what sort of meat he was eating. He said, I never supposed that music could reach such heights!
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 3.25

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Three

Original Text:

子谓韶尽美矣又尽善也谓武尽美矣未尽善也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said of the Shao music, “It is perfectly beautiful, and also perfectly good.”
He said of the Wu music, “It is perfectly beautiful but not perfectly good.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Of the Shao music, the Master said, Perfect in beauty, perfect in goodness. Of the Wu music, he said, Perfect in beauty, but not perfect in goodness.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 3.23

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Three

Original Text:

子语鲁大师乐曰乐其可知也始作翕如也从之纯如也皦如也绎如也以成

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master was discussing music with the Grand Music Master of Lu. He said, “What can be known about music is this: when it first begins, it resounds with a confusing variety of notes, but as it unfolds, these notes are reconciled by means of harmony, brought into tension by means of counterpoint, and finally woven together into a seamless whole. It is in this way that music reaches its perfection.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master, speaking with the Grand Music Master of Lu, said, Music can be understood in this way. The players first in unison, then freely harmonizing, playing separately or carrying on from one another, and thus the piece is completed.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 3.3

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Three

Original Text:

子曰人而不仁如礼何人而不仁如乐何

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “A man who is not Good – what has he to do with ritual? A man who is not Good – what has he to do with music?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, A human being who lacks humaneness – what is ritual to someone like that? A human being who lacks humaneness – what is music to someone like that?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.