Steward - Confucian Pages

Analects 13.2

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Thirteen

Original Text:

仲弓为季氏宰问政子曰先有司赦小过举贤才曰焉知贤才而举之子曰举尔所知尔所不知人其舍诸

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zhonggong, who was serving as a steward for the Ji Family, asked the Master about governing.
The Master said, “First appoint your supervising officials, then overlook their petty faults and promote those who are worthy and talented.”
“How can I recognize those who are worthy and talented so that I can promote them?”
“Just promote the ones you know. As for those you do not know, will others allow them to be passed over?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zhonggong, who was serving as steward to the Ji family, asked about government.
The Master said, Your first concern should be the officers in your employ. Excuse minor shortcomings, and promote those of outstanding talent.
How can I know those of outstanding talent in order to promote them?
The Master said, Promote those you know to be worthy. As for those you don’t know, will others fail to mention them?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 11.25

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eleven

Original Text:

子路使子羔为费宰子曰贼夫人之子子路曰有民人焉有社稷焉何必读书然后为学子曰是故恶夫佞者

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zilu dispatched Zigao to serve as the steward of [the Ji Family stronghold of] Bi.
The Master remarked, “You are harming another man’s son.”
Zilu replied, “There are people there for him to govern, and altars to the soil and grain for him to maintain. Why must we think that it is only by reading books that one can be considered learned?”
The Master answered, “It is for precisely this reason that I despise those who are glib.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zilu appointed Zigao to be steward of Bi. The Master said, You are doing harm to another man’s son.
Zilu said, He has the people he needs and the altars of the soil and grain. Why must one read books before he is regarded as learned?
The Master said, That’s why I hate smart-alecky 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:

Other Translations:

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.