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Analects 19.19

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Nineteen

Original Text:

孟氏使阳肤为士师问于曾子曾子曰上失其道民散久矣如得其情则哀矜而勿喜

Translation:

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When the Meng Family appointed Yang Fu to be their Captain of the Guard, he went to ask Master Zeng for advice. Master Zeng said, “It has been a long time since those above lost the Way, and so the people lack guidance. When you uncover the truth in a criminal case, proceed with sorrow and compassion. Do not be pleased with yourself.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Meng family appointed Yang Fu to the post of chief judge, and he questioned Master Zeng about the office.
Master Zeng said, Those in high places have lost the Way, and the common people have long been without guidance. When you uncover the facts of a case, be sorrowful and compassionate, never pleased with yourself.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 19.13

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Nineteen

Original Text:

子夏曰仕而优则学学而优则仕

Translation:

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Zixia said, “One who excels in his official position should then devote himself to learning. One who excels in learning should then devote himself to official service.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zixia said, Hold public office, and if you have time left over, study. Study, and if you have time left over, hold public office.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 18.8

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eighteen

Original Text:

逸民伯夷叔齐虞仲夷逸朱张柳下惠少连子曰不降其志不辱其身伯夷叔齐与谓柳下惠少连降志辱身矣言中伦行中虑其斯而已矣谓虞仲夷逸隐居放言身中清废中权我则异于是无可无不可

Translation:

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Those men who went into seclusion include Bo Yi, Shu Qi, Yu Zhong, Yi Yi, Zhu Zhang, Liuxia Hui, and Shao Lian.
The Master said, “Unwilling to lower their aspirations or bring disgrace upon their persons—such were Bo Yi and Shu Qi.”
Of Liuxia Hui and Shao Lian he said, “Although they lowered their aspirations and brought disgrace upon their persons, at least their speech was in accord with their status and their actions were in accord with their thoughts.”
Of Yu Zhong and Yi Yi he said, “Living in seclusion and freely speaking their minds, their persons remained pure and their resignations from office were well-considered.”
He concluded, “I, however, am different from all of them in that I have no preconceived notions of what is permissible and what is not.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Those who withdrew from the world: Bo Yi, Shu Qi, Yu Zhong, Yi Yi, Zhu Zhang, Liuxia Hui, Shao Lian.
he Master said, They never lowered their aims, never let themselves be disgraced—that would be Bo Yi and Shu Qi, would it not?
He said, Liuxia Hui and Shao Lian lowered their aims and suffered disgrace. But they spoke in accordance with reason, acted in accordance with careful thought—that much can be said of them.
And he said, Yu Zhong and Yi Yi lived in seclusion, gave up speaking, kept themselves free of stain, and in their withdrawal accorded with expediency. I myself differ from these men. I have no hard and fast dos and don’ts.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 18.2

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eighteen

Original Text:

柳下惠为士师三黜人曰子未可以去乎曰直道而事人焉往而不三黜枉道而事人何必去父母之邦

Translation:

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When Liuxia Hui was serving as Captain of the Guard, he was dismissed three times. People said to him, “Sir, is this not grounds for simply leaving?”
He replied, “If I serve others by means of the upright Way, where can I go and not end up being dismissed three times? If, instead, I were to serve others in a crooked, accommodating manner, what need would I have to leave my home state?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

When Liuxia Hui served as chief judge he was three times dismissed. Someone said, Wouldn’t you do better going elsewhere?
Liuxia Hui said, If I apply the Way correctly in serving others, where can I go and not be dismissed three times? And if I applied the Way in a crooked fashion in serving others, what need would I have to leave the country of my father and mother?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 17.1

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seventeen

Original Text:

阳货欲见孔子孔子不见归孔子豚孔子时其亡也而往拜之遇诸途谓孔子曰来予与尔言曰怀其宝而迷其邦可谓仁乎曰不可好从事而亟失时可谓知乎曰不可日月逝矣岁不我与孔子曰诺吾将仕矣

Translation:

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Yang Huo wanted to have an audience with Confucius, but Confucius would not see him. Yang Huo therefore sent Confucius a suckling pig as a gift. Confucius waited until Yang Huo was not at home before going to offer his thanks, but ended up running into Yang Huo on the road.
Yang Huo called out to Confucius, “Come! I would like to speak with you.” [After Confucius approached him,] he said, “Clutching a treasure to one’s bosom, and thereby letting the state go to ruin—could this be called Good?”
Confucius replied, “No, it could not.”
“Being eager to serve, but repeatedly missing opportunities to do so—could this be called wise?”
Confucius replied, “No, it could not.”
“The days and months are slipping away, and time is not on our side.”
“Very well,” Confucius said. “I will enter official service.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Yang Huo (Yang Hu?) wanted to see Confucius, but Confucius refused to see him. He then sent Confucius a suckling pig. Confucius, choosing a time when Yang was not at home, went to express thanks for the gift, but he happened to meet Yang in the street. Addressing Confucius, Yang Huo said, Come—I have something to say to you. You hide in your heart a wealth of talent and yet let your country go astray. Can that be called humaneness? Of course not! You long to hold office and yet time and again miss the chance to do so. Can that be called wisdom? Of course not! The days and months fly by, time does not work in our favor!
Confucius said, Very well—I will take public office.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 14.26

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fourteen

Original Text:

子曰不在其位不谋其政曾子曰君子思不出其位

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Do not discuss matters of government policy that do not fall within the scope of your official duties.”
Master Zeng added, “The gentleman’s thoughts do not go beyond his office”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, If one does not hold the position, one does not dictate the policies that go with it.
Master Zeng said, The gentleman’s thoughts do not extend beyond the position that he holds.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

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:

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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 6.14

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Six

Original Text:

子游为武城宰子曰女得人焉尔乎曰有澹台灭明者行不由径非公事未尝至于偃之室也

Translation:

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Ziyou was serving as steward of Wucheng.
The Master asked him, “Have you managed to find any worthy people there?”
Ziyou answered, “There is one named Tantai Mieming. He does not take shortcuts when conducting business, and I have never seen him in my chamber except upon official business.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Ziyou was made steward of Wucheng. The Master said, Have you come upon any good men?
Ziyou said, There’s Tantai Mieming. He doesn’t take any shortcuts, and he never comes to my room unless it is on official business.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 6.9

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Six

Original Text:

季氏使闵子骞为费宰闵子骞曰善为我辞焉如有复我者则吾必在汶上矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Ji Family offered Min Ziqian the position of steward of the Ji Family fortress at Bi.
Min Ziqian said [to the messenger bringing this news], “Please courteously decline the offer for me. If they ask for me again, you can find me beyond the banks of the Wen River.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

he Ji family wanted to appoint Min Ziqian as steward of Bi. Min Ziqian said, Can someone kindly refuse this offer for me? If they continue to press me, I will have to retire to the banks of the Wen River.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 6.8

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Six

Original Text:

季康子问仲由可使从政也与子曰由也果于从政乎何有曰赐也可使从政也与曰赐也达于从政乎何有曰求也可使从政也与曰求也艺于从政乎何有

Translation:

Other Translations:

Ji Kangzi asked, “Could Zilu be employed to carry out official business?”
The Master replied, “Zilu is resolute. What difficulty would he have carrying out official business?”
“What about Zigong?”
“Zigong is perceptive. What difficulty would he have carrying out official business?”
“What about Ran Qiu?”
“Ran Qiu is a master of the arts. What difficulty would he have carrying out official business?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Ji Kangzi asked, Would Zhongyou (Zilu) be suitable to hold government office?
The Master said, Zhongyou is decisive. Why wouldn’t he do for government office?
Would Si (Zigong) do for government office?
The Master said, Si is knowledgeable. Why wouldn’t he do for government office?
Would Qiu (Ran Qiu) do for government office?
The Master said, Qiu is talented. Why wouldn’t he do for government office?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.