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Analects 15.24

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fifteen

Original Text:

子贡问曰有一言而可以终身行之者乎子曰其恕乎己所不欲勿施于人

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zigong asked, “Is there one word that can serve as a guide for one’s entire life?”
The Master answered, “Is it not ‘understanding’ ? Do not impose upon others what you yourself do not desire.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zigong asked, Is there a single word that can guide a person’s conduct throughout life?
The Master said, That would be reciprocity, wouldn’t it? What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to others.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 15.21

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fifteen

Original Text:

子曰君子求诸己小人求诸人

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “The gentleman seeks it in himself; the petty person seeks it in others.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, The gentleman makes demands on himself. The petty man makes demands on others.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 15.16

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fifteen

Original Text:

子曰不曰如之何如之何者吾末如之何也已矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “I have never been able to do anything for a person who is not himself constantly asking, ‘What should I do? What should I do?’ ”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, People who don’t ask themselves, How should I proceed? How should I proceed?—I don’t know how to proceed with their kind!
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 15.15

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fifteen

Original Text:

子曰躬自厚而薄责于人则远怨矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Demand much of yourself, but ask little of others, and you will keep resentment at a distance.” The Master said, “Demand much of yourself, but ask little of others, and you will keep resentment at a distance.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, Be hard on yourself; go lightly when you blame others—that way you stay clear of resentment.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 13.13

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Thirteen

Original Text:

子曰苟正其身矣于从政乎何有不能正其身如正人何

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “If you simply correct yourself, what difficulties could you encounter in government service? If you cannot correct yourself, how can you expect to correct others?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, If you can learn to correct yourself, what trouble could you have in administering government? But if you cannot correct yourself, how can you hope to correct others?
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.