Way - Confucian Pages

Analects 19.22

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Original Text:

卫公孙朝问于子贡曰仲尼焉学子贡曰文武之道未坠于地在人贤者识其大者不贤者识其小者莫不有文武之道焉夫子焉不学而亦何常师之有

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Gongsun Chao of Wei asked Zigong, “From whom did Confucius acquire his learning?”
Zigong replied, “The Way of Kings Wen and Wu has not yet fallen to the ground—it still exists in people. Those who are worthy understand its greater aspects, while those who are unworthy understand its lesser aspects. There is no one who does not have the Way of Wen and Wu within them. From whom did the Master not acquire his learning? And what need was there for him to have a formal teacher?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Gongsun Chao of Wei questioned Zigong, saying, Where did Zhongni (Confucius) study?
Zigong said, The Way of Wen and Wu has not yet disappeared completely. Among the populace, worthy men remember the essentials, and those of little worth remember the minor points. There are none who do not possess the Way of Wen and Wu, so how could our Master fail to study it? But how can you say he studied with any particular teacher?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 19.19

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Original Text:

孟氏使阳肤为士师问于曾子曾子曰上失其道民散久矣如得其情则哀矜而勿喜

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When the Meng Family appointed Yang Fu to be their Captain of the Guard, he went to ask Master Zeng for advice. Master Zeng said, “It has been a long time since those above lost the Way, and so the people lack guidance. When you uncover the truth in a criminal case, proceed with sorrow and compassion. Do not be pleased with yourself.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Meng family appointed Yang Fu to the post of chief judge, and he questioned Master Zeng about the office.
Master Zeng said, Those in high places have lost the Way, and the common people have long been without guidance. When you uncover the facts of a case, be sorrowful and compassionate, never pleased with yourself.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 19.7

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Original Text:

子夏曰百工居肆以成其事君子学以致其道

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Zixia said, “The various artisans dwell in their workshops in order to perfect their crafts, just as the gentleman learns in order to reach the end of his Way.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zixia said, The hundred craftsmen stay in their workshops in order to accomplish their tasks. The gentleman studies in order to perfect his Way.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 19.4

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Original Text:

子夏曰虽小道必有可观者焉致远恐泥是以君子不为也

Translation:

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Zixia said, “Although the byways no doubt have their own interesting sights to see, one who wishes to reach a distant destination fears becoming mired. This is why the gentleman does not take the byways.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zixia said, Although it may be a lesser Way, it must have things worth noting. But if pursued too far, there’s a danger of becoming mired in it—therefore, the gentleman does not do so.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 19.2

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Original Text:

子张曰执德不弘信道不笃焉能为有焉能为亡

Translation:

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Zizhang said, “If you are not grand in the manner you hold onto Virtue, or sincere in your trust in the Way, how can you be said to possess anything? How can you be said to lack anything?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zizhang said, He adheres to virtue but not expansively; he trusts in the Way but not with conviction—how can you tell if he’s really there or not?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 18.2

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Original Text:

柳下惠为士师三黜人曰子未可以去乎曰直道而事人焉往而不三黜枉道而事人何必去父母之邦

Translation:

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When Liuxia Hui was serving as Captain of the Guard, he was dismissed three times. People said to him, “Sir, is this not grounds for simply leaving?”
He replied, “If I serve others by means of the upright Way, where can I go and not end up being dismissed three times? If, instead, I were to serve others in a crooked, accommodating manner, what need would I have to leave my home state?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

When Liuxia Hui served as chief judge he was three times dismissed. Someone said, Wouldn’t you do better going elsewhere?
Liuxia Hui said, If I apply the Way correctly in serving others, where can I go and not be dismissed three times? And if I applied the Way in a crooked fashion in serving others, what need would I have to leave the country of my father and mother?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 17.4

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Original Text:

子之武城闻弦歌之声夫子莞尔而笑曰割鸡焉用牛刀子游对曰昔者偃也闻诸夫子曰君子学道则爱人小人学道则易使也子曰二三子偃之言是也前言戏之耳

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When the Master went to Wucheng, he heard the sound of stringed instruments and song. Smiling gently, he remarked, “Why use an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken?”
Ziyou replied, “In the past, Master, I have heard you say, ‘If the gentleman learns the Way he will be able to care for others, and if commoners learn the Way they will be easy to manage.’ ”
[Addressing the disciples who had accompanied him to Wucheng,] the Master said, “Take note, my disciples! What Ziyou says is true. My earlier comment was meant only as a joke.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

When the Master visited Wucheng, he listened to the music of stringed instruments and a chorus. A smile came to his face, and he said, To cut up a chicken, why use an ox-cleaver?
Ziyou replied, In the past I have heard you say, Master, that when the gentleman studies the Way, he learns to love others, and when the petty man studies the Way, he becomes easy to employ.
The Master said, You young men, what Yan (Ziyou) says is right. My earlier remark was just meant as a joke.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 16.11

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Sixteen

Original Text:

孔子曰见善如不及见不善如探汤吾见其人矣吾闻其语矣隐居以求其志行义以达其道吾闻其语矣未见其人也

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Confucius said, “ ‘Seeing goodness, and striving for it urgently, as if never able catch up; seeing badness, and recoiling as if scalded by hot water’—I have seen such people, and have heard such words.”
“ ‘Dwelling in seclusion in order to pursue one’s aspirations, practicing rightness in order to realize the Way’—I have heard such words, but have yet to see such a person.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Confucius said, He sees what is good and acts as though he could never attain it, sees what is not good and acts as though he had put his hand in scalding water—I’ve seen people like that and heard reports of their kind. He lives in seclusion in order to fulfill his aims, practices rightness in order to perfect his Way—I’ve heard reports of such people but never actually seen them.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 16.2

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Sixteen

Original Text:

孔子曰天下有道则礼乐征伐自天子出天下无道则礼乐征伐自诸侯出自诸侯出盖十世希不失矣自大夫出五世希不失矣陪臣执国命三世希不失矣天下有道则政不在大夫天下有道则庶人不议

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Confucius said, “When the Way prevails in the world, rituals, music, punitive expeditions, and attacks against foreign powers issue from the Son of Heaven. When the Way does not prevail in the world, these things issue from the feudal lords. When they issue from the feudal lords, it is seldom more than ten generations before the lords lose control of them. When they issue from ministers, it is seldom more than five generations before the ministers lose control of them, and once household ministers seize control of state commands, it is seldom more than three generations before they lose control of them.”
“When the Way prevails in the world, control of the government does not reside with the ministers. When the Way prevails in the world, commoners do not debate matters of government.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Confucius said, When the Way prevails in the world, rites, music, and punitive expeditions proceed from the Son of Heaven. When the Way no longer prevails in the world, rites, music, and punitive expeditions proceed from the feudal lords, and rarely does this situation continue for ten generations before failure ensues. If these proceed from the high officials, rarely five generations pass before failure; and if the retainers of the high officials govern the fate of the nation, rarely three generations before failure. When the Way prevails in the world, government is not in the hands of the high officials. When the Way prevails in the world, ordinary people voice no criticisms.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 15.42

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Original Text:

师冕见及阶子曰阶也及席子曰席也皆坐子告之曰某在斯某在斯师冕出子张问曰与师言之道与子曰然固相师之道也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Music Master Mian came to see Confucius.
When they came to the steps, the Master said, “Here are the steps.” When they reached his seat, the Master said, “Here is your seat.” After everyone was seated, the Master informed him as to who was present, saying, “So-and-so is seated here, and So-and-so is seated over there.”
When the Music Master left, Zizhang asked, “Is this the way to converse with a Music Master?”
The Master replied, “Yes, this is indeed the way to assist a Music Master.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Music Master Mian called on Confucius. When they reached the steps, the Master said, Here are the steps. When they reached the seating mats, the Master said, Here are the mats. After everyone was seated, the Master reported, So-and-so is over here. So-and-so is over there.
After Music Master Mian had left, Zizhang asked, Is that the way one talks to a music master? The Master said, Yes, of course. That’s how one assists a music master.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.