Young

Analects 19.12

Original Text:

子游曰子夏之门人小子当洒扫应对进退则可矣抑末也本之则无如之何子夏闻之曰噫言游过矣君子之道孰先传焉孰后倦焉譬诸草木区以别矣君子之道焉可诬也有始有卒者其惟圣人乎

Translation:

Other Translations:

Ziyou said, “Among the disciples of Zixia, the younger ones are fairly competent when it comes to tasks such as mopping and sweeping, answering summons, and entering and retiring from formal company, but these are all superficialities. They are completely at a loss when it comes to mastering the basics. Why is this?”

When Zixia heard of this, he remarked, “Alas! Ziyou seems to have missed the point. Whose disciples will be the first to be taught the Way of the gentleman, and then in the end grow tired of it? It is like the grass and the trees: you make distinctions between them according to their kind. The Way of the gentleman, how can it be slandered so? Starting at the beginning and working through to the end—surely this describes none other than the sage!”

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

Ziyou said, The young men who are followers of Zixia are competent at sprinkling and sweeping, receiving and responding to guests, advancing and retiring. But these are minor affairs. Question them on fundamentals, and they have no answer. How can that be?

When Zixia heard this, he said, Ah—Ziyou is mistaken. In the Way of the gentleman, what is to be taught first, what can be put aside until later? It’s like the case of plants or trees, which require different types of handling. But the Way of the gentleman—how can it be handled incorrectly? And who understands it from beginning to end?—only the sage can do that!

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

Analects 14.44

Original Text:

阙党童子将命或问之曰益者与子曰吾见其居于位也见其与先生并行也非求益者也欲速成者也

Translation:

Other Translations:

A boy from the Que district came bearing a message to Confucius. Someone asked Confucius about him, saying, “Is this someone who is likely to improve himself?”

The Master replied, “I observed him sitting in the presence of adults, and also walking alongside his elders. He is not looking to improve himself, but is just after quick success.”

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

A young boy of the village of Que was assigned to carry messages. Someone asked Confucius about him, saying, Is he improving himself?

The Master said, I’ve seen him sit in the seat for adults, seen him walk shoulder to shoulder with his elders. He’s not trying to improve himself—he’s just in a hurry to be treated as a grownup.

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

Analects 14.43

Original Text:

原壤夷俟子曰幼而不孙弟长而无述焉老而不死是为贼以杖叩其胫

Translation:

Other Translations:

Yuan Rang sat casually, with his legs sprawled out, waiting for Confucius.

On seeing him, the Master remarked, “A young man devoid of humility and respect for his elders will grow into an adult who contributes nothing to his community. Growing older and older without the dignity to pass away, he becomes a burden on society.” He then rapped him on the shin with his staff.

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

Yuan Rang sat waiting for Confucius in a slovenly posture. The Master said, Young but not properly submissive, grown and no one speaks well of you, old and you still don’t die—a real pest!

He rapped on Yuan’s shins with his cane.

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

Analects 5.26

Original Text:

颜渊季路侍子曰盍各言尔志子路曰愿车马衣轻裘与朋友共敝之而无憾颜渊曰愿无伐善无施劳子路曰愿闻子之志子曰老者安之朋友信之少者怀之

Translation:

Other Translations:

Yan Hui and Zilu were in attendance. The Master said to them, “Why do you not each speak to me of your aspirations?”

Zilu answered, “I would like to be able to share my carts and horses, clothing and fur with my fellow students and friends, without feeling regret.”

Yan Hui answered, “I would like to avoid being boastful about my own abilities or exaggerating my accomplishments.”

Zilu then said, “I would like to hear of the Master’s aspirations.”

The Master said, “To bring comfort to the aged, to inspire trust in my friends, and be cherished by the youth.”

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

Once, when Yan Yuan and Zilu were accompanying him, the Master said, Why don’t each of you speak of your desires?

Zilu said, I wish that I and my friends could share the same carriages and horses, robes and furs, and never worry if we wore them out.

Yan Yuan said, I would like never to boast of what good points I have and never cause trouble to others.

Zilu said, I would like to hear the Master’s desires.

The Master said, To free old people from worry, to be trustworthy toward my friends, and at all times solicitous of the young.

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