Book 1: Learning and Practice

Book 1: Learning and Practice

Commentary

1.1

The Master said: "To learn and to repeat the practice at due intervals—is that not a joy? To have friends coming from afar—is that not a delight? To remain unruffled when others fail to recognize one's worth—is that not the mark of a gentleman?"

1.2

Youzi said: "A man who is filial and fraternal, yet fond of defying his superiors, is rare. One who is not fond of defying his superiors, yet fond of fomenting disorder, has never existed. The gentleman devotes himself to the root; once the root is established, the Way grows. Filiality and fraternal duty—are they not the root of humaneness?"

1.3

The Master said: "Clever words and a compliant countenance—rarely are they accompanied by humaneness."

1.4

Zengzi said: "Each day I examine myself on three counts: In acting on behalf of others, have I been faithful? In associating with friends, have I been trustworthy? Have I practiced what was transmitted to me?"

1.5

The Master said: "To guide a state of a thousand chariots, conduct affairs with reverence and trustworthiness, economize in expenditures and cherish the people, and employ the common folk only in the proper seasons."

1.6

The Master said: "A young man, at home, should be filial; abroad, frugal and respectful; he should be cautious in speech and trustworthy in action; he should love the multitudes broadly and draw close to the humane. If, after carrying out all this, he has energy to spare, let him devote it to learning the arts."

1.7

Zixia said: "To esteem the worthy as worthy, thereby altering one's countenance; in serving one's parents, to exhaust one's strength; in serving one's lord, to devote one's very person; in associating with friends, to be true in one's word—even if such a person claims to have not yet studied, I would surely say that he has."

1.8

The Master said: "A gentleman who is not serious will not inspire awe, and his learning will not be firm. Hold fast to fidelity and trustworthiness. Do not befriend those who are not your equal. When you err, do not fear to correct it."

1.9

Zengzi said: "Be careful in the observance of the funeral rites and keep the memory of distant ancestors alive, and the virtue of the people will return to fullness."

1.10

Ziqin asked Zigong: "When the Master arrives in any state, he invariably learns about its government. Does he seek it out, or is it given to him?" Zigong said: "The Master obtains it through his warmth, goodness, respectfulness, frugality, and deference. The Master's seeking it—is it perhaps different from the way others seek it?"

1.11

The Master said: "While a man's father is alive, observe his intentions. After his father has died, observe his conduct. If for three years he does not alter his father's way, he may be called filial."

1.12

Youzi said: "In the application of ritual propriety, harmony is prized. In the Way of the former kings, this was beautiful, and in all matters great and small, it was followed. Yet there are times when this does not work: to seek harmony for its own sake, harmonizing without regulating it through ritual propriety—this too will not work."

1.13

Youzi said: "Keeping one's word where it approximates to what is right—such words can be fulfilled. Being respectful where it approximates to ritual propriety—this keeps disgrace at a distance. And in following a leader, if one does not lose those to whom one is bound by kinship, one may also be relied upon."

1.14

The Master said: "A gentleman who in eating does not seek fullness, who in dwelling does not seek comfort, who is diligent in affairs and cautious in speech, and who seeks out the Way and takes it as his standard—such a man may be called a lover of learning."

1.5

Zigong said: "Poor yet not obsequious, rich yet not arrogant—what would you say of such a one?" The Master said: "That would do, but better still would be: poor yet joyful, rich yet devoted to ritual propriety." Zigong said: "The *Odes* say: 'As if cut, as if polished, as if carved, as if ground.' Is this what you mean?" The Master said: "Ci, now I can begin to speak to you about the *Odes*. When I tell you what has gone before, you know what is to come."

1.16

The Master said: "Do not worry that others fail to recognize you; worry rather that you fail to recognize others."