Regret - Confucian Pages

Analects 7.15

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seven

Original Text:

冉有曰夫子为卫君乎子贡曰诺吾将问之入曰伯夷叔齐何人也曰古之贤人也曰怨乎曰求仁而得仁又何怨出曰夫子不为也

Translation:

Other Translations:

Ran Qiu was wondering out loud, “Does the Master support the Duke of Wei?”
Zigong replied, “Well, I will go ask him.”
He went in to see the Master, and said, “What sort of people were Bo Yi and Shu Qi?”
The Master replied, “They were ancient worthies.”
“Did they harbor any regrets?”
“They pursued Goodness and attained Goodness, what regrets could they possible have?”
Zigong emerged and reported to the other disciples, “The Master does not support him.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Ran You said, Will our Master side with the ruler of Wei? Zigong said, Very well, I’ll go and ask him.
Entering the Master’s room, Zigong said, What sort of men were Bo Yi and Shu Qi?
The Master said, Worthy men of antiquity.
Did they harbor rancor?
They sought to behave humanely, and they succeeded in doing so. Why would they harbor rancor?
When Zigong emerged from the room, he said, Our Master will not side with the ruler of Wei.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 7.11

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Original Text:

子谓颜渊曰用之则行舍之则藏惟我与尔有是夫子路曰子行三军则谁与子曰暴虎冯河死而无悔者吾不与也必也临事而惧好谋而成者也

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The Master remarked to Yan Hui, “It is said, ‘When he is employed, he moves forward; when he is removed from office, he holds himself in reserve.’ Surely this applies only to you and me?”
Zilu interposed, “If you, Master, were to lead the three armies into battle, who would you want by your side?”
The Master replied, “I would not want by my side the kind of person who would attack a tiger barehanded or attempt to swim the Yellow River, because he was willing to ‘die without regret.’ Surely I would want someone who approached such undertakings with a proper sense of trepidation, and who came to a decision only after having thoroughly considered the matter.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said to Yan Yuan, When needed, to act; when cast aside, to retire—only you and I know how to do that—isn’t that so?
Zilu said, If you, Master, were directing the Three Armies, who would you take with you?
The Master said, Someone who faces a tiger bare-handed or wades the Yellow River, going to his death with no regrets—I wouldn’t take anyone like that. If I must answer, then I’d take someone who directs affairs in a mood of apprehension, who plans carefully and thereby succeeds.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 2.18

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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.