Thief

Original Text:

子路曰君子尚勇乎子曰君子义以为上君子有勇而无义为乱小人有勇而无义为盗

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zilu asked, “Does the gentleman admire courage?”

The Master said, “The gentleman admires rightness above all. A gentleman who possessed courage but lacked a sense of rightness would create political disorder, while a common person who possessed courage but lacked a sense of rightness would become a bandit.”

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

Zilu said, Does the gentleman esteem courage? The Master said, The gentleman holds rightness in highest esteem. A gentleman who possesses courage but lacks rightness will become rebellious. A petty man who possesses courage but lacks rightness will turn to thievery.

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