The Analects
Book 2 · Governing with Virtue
Read in English. Switch to Original for word notes, or select text to ask a question.
Governing with Virtue · 2.1
The Master said, “Governing through virtue is like the northern pole star: it remains in its place while the other stars turn toward it.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.2
The Master said, “The three hundred Odes can be gathered into a single phrase: ‘Let thought be free of crookedness.’”
Governing with Virtue · 2.3
The Master said, “Guide people with administrative commands and bring them into line with punishments, and they will try to escape punishment without a sense of shame. Guide them with virtue and bring them into line through ritual, and they will have a sense of shame and become upright.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.4
The Master said, “At fifteen I set my heart on learning. At thirty I stood firm. At forty I was no longer confused. At fifty I understood Heaven's mandate. At sixty my ear was receptive. At seventy I could follow what my heart desired without crossing the proper bounds.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.5
Meng Yizi asked about filial devotion. The Master said, “Do not depart from what is proper.” While Fan Chi was driving his carriage, the Master told him, “Mengsun asked me about filial devotion, and I replied, ‘Do not depart from what is proper.’” Fan Chi asked, “What did you mean?” The Master said, “While your parents live, serve them according to ritual. When they die, bury them according to ritual and offer sacrifices to them according to ritual.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.6
Meng Wubo asked about filial devotion. The Master said, “Let your parents have nothing to worry about concerning you except illness.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.7
Ziyou asked about filial devotion. The Master said, “Nowadays being filial is taken to mean being able to provide support. Yet dogs and horses also receive support. Without reverence, what makes the difference?”
Governing with Virtue · 2.8
Zixia asked about filial devotion. The Master said, “It is the expression on one's face that is difficult. When there is work, the young take on its labor; when there is wine and food, the elders are served. Can these things alone be considered filial devotion?”
Governing with Virtue · 2.9
The Master said, “I can speak with Hui all day, and he never disagrees, as though he were foolish. But when he withdraws and I examine what he does on his own, I see that he can bring the teaching to life. Hui is not foolish.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.10
The Master said, “Look at what a person does, observe the path by which they proceed, and examine where they find contentment. How could such a person hide? How could such a person hide?”
Governing with Virtue · 2.11
The Master said, “By revisiting what you have learned and coming to understand something new, you can become a teacher.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.12
The Master said, “An exemplary person is not a vessel made for a single use.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.13
Zigong asked about the exemplary person. The Master said, “First put your words into action; then let your words follow what you have done.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.14
The Master said, “The exemplary person is broadly connected without forming a clique. The petty person forms a clique without being broadly connected.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.15
The Master said, “Learning without reflection leaves one bewildered; reflection without learning puts one in danger.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.16
The Master said, “Devoting yourself to teachings that depart from the right Way is harmful.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.17
The Master said, “You, shall I teach you what it is to know? To acknowledge what you know as known, and what you do not know as unknown—that is knowledge.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.18
Zizhang was learning how to obtain an official salary. The Master said, “Listen widely, set aside what is doubtful, and speak carefully about the rest; then you will incur little blame. Observe widely, set aside what is precarious, and act carefully on the rest; then you will have little cause for regret. When your words incur little blame and your actions little regret, an official salary is already within reach.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.19
Duke Ai asked, “What should I do to make the people willing to follow?” Confucius replied, “Raise the upright and place them over the crooked, and the people will follow. Raise the crooked and place them over the upright, and the people will not follow.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.20
Ji Kangzi asked, “How can one make the people respectful, loyal, and eager to do well?” The Master said, “Approach them with dignity, and they will be respectful. Be filial and kind, and they will be loyal. Promote the good and teach those who lack ability, and they will be eager to do well.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.21
Someone said to Confucius, “Why do you not take part in government?” The Master replied, “The Documents say, ‘Be filial, truly filial, and be a friend to your brothers.’ Bringing these qualities to bear on governing is itself taking part in government. Why must taking part in government mean holding office?”
Governing with Virtue · 2.22
The Master said, “I do not see how someone without trustworthiness can get anywhere. How could a large cart travel without its yoke-pin, or a light carriage without its coupling-pin?”
Governing with Virtue · 2.23
Zizhang asked, “Can the affairs of ten generations ahead be known?” The Master said, “Yin followed the rituals of Xia, and what it took away or added can be known. Zhou followed the rituals of Yin, and what it took away or added can be known. If another dynasty succeeds Zhou, its affairs could be known even a hundred generations ahead.”
Governing with Virtue · 2.24
The Master said, “To sacrifice to spirits who are not yours to worship is flattery. To see what is right and fail to do it is a lack of courage.”
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