Thought

Analects 16.10

Original Text:

孔子曰君子有九思视思明听思聪色思温貌思恭言思忠事思敬疑思问忿思难见得思义

Translation:

Other Translations:

Confucius said, “There are nine things upon which a gentleman focuses his attention: when looking, he focuses on seeing clearly; when listening, he focuses on being discerning; in his expression, he focuses on being amiable; in his demeanor, he focuses on being reverent; in his speech, he focuses on being dutiful; in his actions, he focuses on being respectful; when in doubt, he focuses on asking questions; when angry, he focuses on thinking about the potential negative consequences of his anger; and when seeing gain, he focuses upon what is right.”

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

Confucius said, The gentleman has nine things he thinks of. He thinks—is my vision clear? He thinks—is my hearing acute? He thinks—is my expression genial? He thinks—is my manner courteous? He thinks—are my words loyal? He thinks—am I respectful in the way I serve? He thinks—when in doubt, do I seek advice? He thinks—when angry, do I think of the troubles that may ensue? He thinks—when I spy gain, would I be right to take it?

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

Analects 15.31

Original Text:

子曰吾尝终日不食终夜不寝以思无益不如学也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “I once engaged in thought for an entire day without eating and an entire night without sleeping, but it did no good. It would have been better for me to have spent that time in learning.”

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

The Master said, Once I went all day without eating and all night without sleeping in order to think. It was no use—better to study.

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

Analects 8.12

Original Text:

子曰三年学不至于谷不易得也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “It is not easy to find someone who is able to learn for even the space of three years without a thought given to official salary.”

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

The Master said, Someone who can study for three years without thinking about an official salary—not easy to find!

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

Analects 2.15

Original Text:

子曰学而不思则罔思而不学则殆

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “If you learn without thinking about what you have learned, you will be lost. If you think without learning, however, you will fall into danger.”

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

The Master said, Learning without thought is pointless. Thought without learning is dangerous.

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