Tunes - Confucian Pages

Other Translations:

The Master said, “I hate that purple has usurped the place of vermillion, that the tunes of Zheng have been confused with classical music, and that the clever of tongue have undermined both state and family.”

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

The Master said, I hate the way the color purple detracts from red. I hate the way the tunes of Zheng throw the Ya music into confusion. I hate the way clever talkers bring ruin to the state and the leading families.

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

Analects 15.11

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fifteen

Original Text:

颜渊问为邦子曰行夏之时乘殷之辂服周之冕乐则韶舞放郑声远佞人郑声淫佞人殆

Translation:

Other Translations:

Yan Hui asked about running a state.
The Master said, “Follow the calendar of the Xia, travel in the carriages of the Shang, and clothe yourself in the ceremonial caps of the Zhou.
“As for music, listen only to the Shao and Wu. Prohibit the tunes of Zheng, and keep glib people at a distance—for the tunes of Zheng are licentious, and glib people are dangerous.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Yan Yuan asked about how to order the state. The Master said, Use the Xia calendar, ride in the chariots of the Yin, wear the caps of the Zhou, and for music, the Shao and Wu. Do away with the Zheng tunes and stay away from artful talkers. The Zheng tunes are excessive, and artful talkers are dangerous.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.