Quotes from The Analects

Quotations follow the Edward Slingerland translation (Hackett Publishing, 2003) — our recommended edition.

1. 2

   Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

2. 3

   At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the decrees of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was an obedient organ for the reception of truth. At seventy, I could follow what my heart desired, without transgressing what was right.

3. 4

   Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.

4. 5

   Is it not a pleasure, having learned something, to try it out at due intervals?

5. 6

   The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

6. 7

   Is not RECIPROCITY such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

7. 8

   Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application? Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters? Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of him?

8. 9

   When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it;—this is knowledge.

9. 10

   When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them.

10. 11

    By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.

11. 12

    If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge, so as continually to be acquiring new, he may be a teacher of others.

12. 13

    If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening without regret.

13. 14

    They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.

14. 15

    When the year becomes cold, then we know how the pine and the cypress are the last to lose their leaves.

15. 16

    What is necessary is to rectify names. If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things.

16. 17

    There is government, when the prince is prince, and the minister is minister; when the father is father, and the son is son.

17. 18

    To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.

18. 19

    With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow;—I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honours acquired by unrighteousness, are to me as a floating cloud.

19. 20

    When we see men of worth, we should think of equalling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

20. 21

    Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

21. 22

    A transmitter and not a maker, believing in and loving the ancients, I venture to compare myself with our old P'ang.

22. 23

    Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practises it will have neighbours.

23. 24

    The commander of the forces of a large state may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him.