Stubborn

Analects 17.24

Original Text:

子贡曰君子亦有恶乎子曰有恶恶称人之恶者恶居下流而讪上者恶勇而无礼者恶果敢而窒者曰赐也亦有恶乎恶徼以为知者恶不孙以为勇者恶讦以为直者

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zigong asked, “Does the gentleman also have those whom he despises?”

The Master replied, “Yes, he does. He despises those who proclaim the faults of others; those who, occupying an inferior position, slander their superiors; those who are courageous but lack ritual; and those who are resolute and daring, but overly stubborn.”

“Do you, Zigong, also have those whom you despise?”

Zigong said, “I despise those who parrot others’ ideas and mistake this for wisdom; those who mistake insubordination for courage; and those who mistake the malicious exposing of other’s private affairs for uprightness.”

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

Zigong asked, Does the gentleman too have things he hates? The Master said, He has his hates. He hates those who go on about what is hateful in others. He hates those in low position who revile those above them. He hates courage that ignores ritual decorum; he hates firmness and decision that is not open-minded.

Zigong said, I too have things I hate. I hate plagiarists who pretend to be wise. I hate unruly people who pretend to be courageous. I hate scandal mongerers who pretend to be upright.

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

Analects 15.37

Original Text:

子曰君子贞而不谅

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “The gentleman is true, but not rigidly trustworthy.”

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

The Master said, The gentleman is firm but not stubbornly unbending.

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

Analects 14.39

Original Text:

子击磬于卫有荷蒉而过孔氏之门者曰有心哉击磬乎既而曰鄙哉硁硁乎莫己知也斯己而已矣深则厉浅则揭子曰果哉末之难矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master was playing the stone chimes in the state of Wei.

A man with a wicker basket strapped to his back passed by the door of the Kong Family residence and remarked, “Whoever is playing the chimes like that certainly has something on his mind!” After listening for a moment, he added, “How despicable is this petty stubbornness! If no one understands you, just tend to yourself.

‘If the river ford is deep, use the stepping-stones;

If it is shallow, simply raise your hem.’ ”

The Master [hearing these comments] responded, “Such resoluteness! Who could take issue with that!”

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

When he was in Wei, the Master was once playing the chiming stones. A man carrying a basket passed the gate of the house where Confucius was staying. He said, Someone of strong convictions is sounding the stones! After a while he said, Shallow—all this clang-clanging! If no one understands you, you give up, that’s all.

In deep water, let your robe get wet;

In shallow, hike it up.

The Master said, Quite right—that would be the easy way out.

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

Analects 14.32

Original Text:

微生亩谓孔子曰丘何为是栖栖者与无乃为佞乎孔子曰非敢为佞也疾固也

Translation:

Other Translations:

Weisheng Mou said to Confucius, “Qiu, what are you trying to accomplish with all this flitting around from perch to perch? Are you not merely showing off your glibness?”

Confucius replied, “I would not presume to be glib; it is just that I am very stubborn.”

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

Weisheng Mu said to Confucius, Qiu, why are you always rushing around? Are you trying to talk yourself into favor?

Confucius replied, I would not venture to talk myself into favor. I’m distressed by so much obstinacy.

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