Reflection

Analects 19.6

Original Text:

子夏曰博学而笃志切问而近思仁在其中矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zixia said, “Learning broadly and firmly retaining what one has learned, being incisive in one’s questioning and able to reflect upon what is near at hand—Goodness is to be found in this.”

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

Zixia said, Broad in learning, dedicated in will, acute in questioning, reflecting on things close at hand—look for humaneness there.

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

Analects 12.4

Original Text:

司马牛问君子子曰君子不忧不惧曰不忧不惧斯谓之君子已乎子曰内省不疚夫何忧何惧

Translation:

Other Translations:

Sima Niu asked about the gentleman.

The Master replied, “The gentleman is free of anxiety and fear.”

“ ‘Free of anxiety and fear’—is that all there is to being a gentleman?”

“If you can look inside yourself and find no faults, what cause is there for anxiety or fear?”

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

Sima Niu asked about the gentleman. The Master said, A gentleman has no worries and has no fears.

Having no worries and no fears—is that what it means to be a gentleman?

The Master said, If, when he looks inside himself, he finds nothing to censure, then what could he worry about—what could he fear?

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

Analects 5.27

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 4.17

Original Text:

子曰见贤思齐焉见不贤而内自省也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “When you see someone who is worthy, concentrate upon becoming their equal; when you see someone who is unworthy, use this as an opportunity to look within yourself.”

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

The Master said, When you see a worthy person, think about how you can equal him. When you see an unworthy person, reflect on your own conduct.

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