Wu - Confucian Pages

Other Translations:

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 8.20

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eight

Original Text:

舜有臣五人而天下治武王曰予有乱臣十人孔子曰才难不其然乎唐虞之际于斯为盛有妇人焉九人而已三分天下有其二以服事殷周之德其可谓至德也已矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

Shun had five ministers and the world was well governed.
King Wu said, “I have ten ministers in charge of establishing order.”
The Master commented, “It is said that talent is difficult to find—is it not the case? Virtue flourished as never before after the reigns of Yao and Shun, and yet [even among King Wu’s ten ministers] there was a woman included, so he really only had nine good men.”
“Two-thirds of the world had already turned to [King Wen], and yet he still continued to defer to and serve the Shang. The Virtue of the Zhou—surely it can be said to represent ultimate Virtue?”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Shun had five ministers, and the empire was well governed. King Wu said, I have ten capable ministers.
Confucius said, Talent is hard to find—true, is it not? In the time of Tang and Yu, talent flourished, [yet Shun had only five ministers. As for King Wu’s ten ministers,] one was a woman, so he had only nine men. Zhou already possessed two-thirds of the empire, yet it continued to serve the Yin dynasty. The virtue of the Zhou may be termed the highest virtue.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.