Speech

Analects 10.2

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Ten

Original Text:

朝与下大夫言侃侃如也与上大夫言訚訚如也君在踧踖如也与与如也

Translation:

Other Translations:

At court, when speaking with officers of lower rank, he was pleasant and affable; when speaking with officers of upper rank, he was formal and proper. When his lord was present, he combined an attitude of cautious respect with graceful ease.

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

At the morning audience, he talked with the lesser officials in a relaxed and affable way, and talked with the higher officials in a respectful manner. When the ruler made his appearance, Confucius assumed a reverential attitude, but one free of constraint.

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

Analects 6.21

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Six

Original Text:

子曰中人以上可以语上也中人以下不可以语上也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “You can discuss the loftiest matters with those who are above average, but not with those who are below average.”

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

The Master said, To persons of more than middling capability, you can talk of higher matters. To persons of less than middling capability, you cannot talk of such matters.

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

Analects 5.25

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Five

Original Text:

子曰巧言令色足恭左丘明耻之丘亦耻之匿怨而友其人左丘明耻之丘亦耻之

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Clever words, an ingratiating countenance, and perfunctory gestures of respect are all things that Zuoqiu Ming considered shameful, and I, too, consider them shameful. Concealing one’s resentment and feigning friendship toward another is something Zuoqiu considered shameful, and I, too, consider it shameful.”

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

The Master said, Clever words, a pleasing countenance, politeness overdone—Zuoqiu Ming would be ashamed of such, and I would be ashamed too. To hide your distaste for someone and become that person’s friend—Zuoqiu Ming would be ashamed of that, and I would be ashamed too.

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

Analects 4.24

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Four

Original Text:

子曰君子欲讷于言而敏于行

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “The gentleman wishes to be slow to speak, but quick to act.”

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

The Master said, The gentleman desires to be hesitant in speech but prompt in action.

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

Analects 4.22

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Four

Original Text:

子曰古者言之不出耻躬之不逮也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “People in ancient times were not eager to speak, because they would be ashamed if their actions did not measure up to their words.”

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

The Master said, People in old times were sparing in their words. They were ashamed to think that their actions might not measure up.

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

Analects 3.21

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Three

Original Text:

哀公问社于宰我宰我对曰夏后氏以松殷人以柏周人以栗曰使民战栗子闻之曰成事不说遂事不谏既往不咎

Translation:

Other Translations:

Duke Ai asked Zai Wo about the altar to the soil.

Zai Wo replied, “The clans of the Xia sovereigns used the pine tree, the Shang people used the cypress tree, and the Zhou people used the chestnut tree (li). It is said that they wanted to instill fear (li) in the people.”

Having been informed of this, the Master remarked, “One does not try to explain what is over and done with, one does not try to criticize what is already gone, and one does not try to censure that which is already fast.”

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

Duke Ai asked Zai Wo about the altar to the god of the soil. Zai Wo replied, The Xia rulers planted it with pines, the men of Yin planted it with cedars, the men of Zhou plant it with chestnuts (li), in order, they say to make the common people tremble (li).

When the Master heard of this, he said, Completed affairs one does not comment on; things done one does not carp over; what is past one does not criticize.

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

Analects 2.18

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Two

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.

Analects 2.13

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Two

Original Text:

子贡问君子子曰先行其言而后从之

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zigong asked about the gentleman.

The Master said, “He first expresses his views, and then acts in accordance with them.”

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

Zigong asked about the gentleman. The Master said, First he puts his words into action. Only later does he follow up with explanations.

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

Analects 1.14

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book One

Original Text:

子曰君子食无求饱居无求安敏于事而慎于言就有道而正焉可谓好学也已

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “The gentleman is not motivated by the desire for a full belly or a comfortable abode. He is simply scrupulous in behavior and careful in speech, drawing near to those who possess the Way in order to be set straight by them. Surely this and nothing else is what it means to love learning.

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

The Master said, A gentleman when he eats doesn’t try to stuff himself, when he chooses a dwelling is not overly concerned about comfort. He is attentive to affairs, careful of his words, and looks to those who have the Way to correct himself. He’s the kind who can be called a lover of learning.

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

Analects 1.3

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book One

Original Text:

子曰巧言令色鲜矣仁

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “A clever tongue and fine appearance are rarely signs of Goodness”

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

The Master said, Clever words and a pleasing countenance – little humaneness there!

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