Zither - Confucian Pages

Other Translations:

Ru Bei [sent a messenger expressing his] wish to have an audience with Confucius, but Confucius declined, saying that he was ill. As soon as the messenger went out the door, however, Confucius picked up his zither and sang, making sure that the messenger could hear him.

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

Ru Bei wanted to visit Confucius, but Confucius excused himself on the grounds of illness. Then, as the person who had delivered the message was going out the door, Confucius took up his zither and began to sing, making certain that the man heard him.

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

Analects 11.15

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eleven

Original Text:

子曰由之瑟奚为于丘之门门人不敬子路子曰由也升堂矣未入于室也

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master was heard to remark, “What is Zilu doing in my school, playing the zither the way he does?”
After this, the disciples began treating Zilu in a disrespectful manner. The Master reproved them, saying, “Although Zilu has not yet entered the inner chamber, he has at least ascended to the reception hall.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

he Master said, You’s zither playing hardly fits the style of my school. The other disciples began to treat Zilu with disrespect. The Master said, You is qualified to ascend the hall, though he has not yet entered the inner room.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.