New English translation of Book 2 of the Analects of Confucius. Key themes include goodness, leadership, timeliness, and hypocrisy. Latest update: 27 June 2016 For more information, please visit www.brownbeat.net. Latest update: 4 June 2016 For more information, please visit www.brownbeat.net.

1. The Analects of Confucius
Book 5
論語
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2. Key Themes
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Book 5Goodness Timeliness
Hypocrisy
Leadership

3. Supporting Cast
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• Gongye Chang / 公冶長
• Nan Rong / 南容
• Zijian / 子賤
• Zigong / 子貢
• Ran Yong / 冉雍
• Qidiao Kai / 漆雕開
Disciples
• Zilu / 子路
• Ran Qiu / 冉求
• Gongxi Chi / 公西赤
• Yan Hui / 顏回
• Zai Yu / 宰予
• Shen Cheng / 申棖

4. Supporting Cast
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• Zichan / 子產
• Zang Wenzhong / 藏文仲
• Ziwen / 子文
• Cuizi / 崔子
• Ji Wenzi / 季文子
• Ning Wuzi / 甯武子
• Boyi & Shuqi / 伯夷叔齊
• Weisheng Gao / 微生高
Contemporary
Figures
• Meng Wubo / 孟武伯
• Yan Pingzhong / 晏平仲
• Zuo Qiuming / 左丘明
Historical
Figures

5. Chapter I
Confucius said of Gongye Chang: “He would make a good husband.
Even though he spent time in prison, he was innocent.”
He gave him his daughter’s hand in marriage.
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子謂公冶長，「可妻也。雖在縲絏之中，
非其罪也。」以其子妻之。
Book 5, The Analects

6. Chapter II
Confucius said of Nan Rong: “In a well-governed state,
he will not be overlooked for an official position.
In a badly-governed state, he will avoid punishment and disgrace.”
Confucius arranged for him to marry his niece.
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子謂南容，「邦有道不廢，邦無道免於刑戮。」
以其兄之子妻之。
Book 5, The Analects

7. Chapter III
Confucius said of Zijian: “He is a true leader! If there were indeed no
leaders in the state of Lu, how would he have reached this level?”
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子謂子賤，「君子哉若人！魯無君子者，
斯焉取斯？」
Book 5, The Analects

8. Chapter IV
Zigong asked: “What do you think of me?”
Confucius said: “You are a vessel.”
“What sort of vessel?” “A precious sacrificial vessel.”
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子貢問曰：「賜也何如？」子曰：「女器也。」
曰：「何器也？」曰：「瑚璉也。」
Book 5, The Analects

9. Chapter V
Someone said: “Ran Yong is good but not eloquent.”
Confucius said: “What use is eloquence? A smooth tongue creates
many enemies. I do not know whether Ran Yong is good;
but he definitely has no need for eloquence.”
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或曰：「雍也仁而不佞。」子曰：「焉用佞？
御人以口給，屢憎於人。不知其仁，焉用佞？」
Book 5, The Analects

10. Chapter VI
When Confucius recommended Qidiao Kai for an official position,
the latter replied: “I cannot be trusted for such a responsibility yet.”
Confucius was delighted.
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子使漆雕開仕。對曰：「吾斯之未能信。」子說。
Book 5, The Analects

11. Chapter VII
Confucius said: “The Way does not prevail! I will take a raft and put out
to sea. I’m sure Zilu will come with me.” When he heard this,
Zilu was delighted. Confucius said: “Zilu is much braver than I am,
but we can’t get any materials for our raft.”
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子曰：「道不行，乘桴浮於海。從我者，其由與？」
子路聞之喜。子曰：「由也好勇過我，無所取材。」
Book 5, The Analects

12. Chapter VIII Part 1
Meng Wubo asked “Is Zilu good?” Confucius said: “I do not know.”
When he asked once again, Confucius said: “In a middle-sized country,
he could be entrusted with military recruitment.
But whether he is good, I do not know.”
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孟武伯問：「子路仁乎？」子曰：「不知也。」
又問。子曰：「由也，千乘之國，可使治其賦也，
不知其仁也。」
Book 5, The Analects

13. Chapter VIII Part 2
“And what about Ran Qiu?” Confucius said: “Ran Qiu? He could be
the mayor of a small city or the manager of a large estate.
But whether he is good, I do not know.”
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「求也何如？」子曰：「求也，千室之邑，
百乘之家，可使為之宰也，不知其仁也。」
Book 5, The Analects

14. Chapter VIII Part 3
“And what about Gongxi Chi?” Confucius said: “Gongxi Chi?
Standing resplendent with his sash, he could entertain distinguished
guests. But whether he is good, I do not know.”
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「赤也何如？」子曰：「赤也，束帶立於朝，
可使與賓客言也，不知其仁也。」
Book 5, The Analects

15. Chapter IX
Confucius asked Zigong: “Who is better, you or Yan Hui?”
Zigong replied: “How can I compare myself with Yan Hui?
He has only to hear ten percent in order to understand everything about
a subject while if I hear ten per cent I only understand twenty percent.”
Confucius said: “You are certainly not his equal, and neither am I.”
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子謂子貢曰：「女與回也，孰愈？」對曰：「賜也，
何敢望回？回也，聞一以知十，賜也聞一知二。」
子曰：「弗如也，吾與女，弗如也。」
Book 5, The Analects

16. Chapter X
Zai Yu was asleep during the day.
Confucius said: “Rotten wood cannot be carved;
dung walls cannot be trowelled.
What’s the point of scolding him anymore?”
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宰予晝寢。子曰：「朽木不可雕也，
糞土之牆不可杇也。於予與何誅？」
Book 5, The Analects

17. Chapter XI
Confucius said: “I’ve never seen a man who is truly resolute.”
Someone replied: “How about Shen Cheng?”
Confucius said: “Shen Cheng is a slave to his desires.
How can he be called resolute?”
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子曰：「吾未見剛者。」或對曰：「申棖。」
子曰：「棖也慾，焉得剛？」
Book 5, The Analects

18. Chapter XII
Zigong said: “I wouldn’t want to do to others what
I wouldn’t want them to do to me.”
Confucius said: “Ah, Zigong! That’s beyond your reach.”
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子貢曰：「我不欲人之加諸我也，
吾亦欲無加諸人。」
子曰：「賜也，非爾所及也。」
Book 5, The Analects

19. Chapter XIII
Zigong said: “We get to hear our master’s cultural brilliance,
but not his views on the nature of things and the Way of Heaven.”
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子貢曰：「夫子之文章，可得而聞也；
夫子之言性與天道，不可得而聞也。」
Book 5, The Analects

20. Chapter XIV
When Zilu had learned something, his only fear was that
he might learn something else before he had the chance to
put it into practice.
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子路有聞，未之能行，唯恐有聞。
Book 5, The Analects

21. Chapter XV
Zigong asked: “Why was ‘Kong-the-Cultured’ called ‘cultured’?”
Confucius said: “He had an active mind, was fond of learning,
and was not ashamed to listen and learn from his inferiors:
that is why he was given the name.”
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子貢問曰：「孔文子何以謂之文也？」
子曰：「敏而好學，不恥下問，是以謂之文也。」
Book 5, The Analects

22. Chapter XVI
Confucius said of Zichan: “He had four essential qualities of a true
leader: in his private conduct he was courteous; in serving his superiors
he was respectful; in caring for the people he was generous;
in employing the people for public service he was just.”
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子謂子產有君子之道四焉：其行己也恭，
其事上也敬，其養民也惠，其使民也義。
Book 5, The Analects

23. Chapter XVII
Confucius said: “Yan Pingzhong was a master of the art of
social interaction: no matter how long he knew someone,
he always maintained the same level of scrupulous respectfulness.”
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子曰：「晏平仲善與人交，久而敬之。」
Book 5, The Analects

24. Chapter XVIII
Confucius said: “Zang Wenzhong kept a tortoise in a house featuring
pillars patterned with mountains and posts above the rafters decorated
with duckweed motifs. What does this say of his wisdom?”
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子曰：「藏文仲居蔡，山節藻梲，
何如其知也？」
Book 5, The Analects

25. Zizhang asked: “Ziwen was appointed prime minister three times,
but he never showed the least sign of elation. He was dismissed three times,
but he never showed the least sign of disappointment. On each occasion,
he briefed his successor on the status of the affairs of his office.
What do you think of him?” Confucius said: “He was loyal.”
Zizhang asked: “Was he good?” Confucius said: “I’m not sure;
how can he be said to be good?”
Chapter XIX Part 1
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子張問曰：「令尹子文三仕為令尹，無喜色；三已之，
無慍色。舊令尹之政，必以告新令尹。何如？」
子曰：「忠矣。」曰：「仁矣乎？」曰：「未知，焉得仁！」
Book 5, The Analects

26. Chapter XIX Part 2
“When Cuizi assassinated the ruler of the state of Qi, Chen Wenzi abandoned
his large estate and left Qi. Having settled in another state, he said: ‘They are no
better than Cuizi,’ and left. Having settled in yet another state, he said once again:
‘They are no better than Cuizi,’ and left once again. What do you think of him?”
Confucius said: “He was pure.” Zizhang said: “Was he good?”
“I’m not sure; how can he be said to be good?”
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「崔子弒齊君，陳文子有馬十乘，棄而違之。至於他邦，
則曰，『猶吾大夫崔子也。』違之，之一邦，
則又曰：『猶吾大夫崔子也。』違之。何如？」子曰：
「清矣。」曰：「仁矣乎？」子曰：「未知，焉得仁？」
Book 5, The Analects

27. Chapter XX
Ji Wenzi always thought three times before taking action.
When he heard this, Confucius said: “Twice is quite sufficient.”
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季文子三思而後行。
子聞之，曰：「再斯可矣。」
Book 5, The Analects

28. Chapter XXI
Confucius said: “When the Way prevailed in his state,
Ning Wuzi acted wise. When his state lost the Way,
Ning Wuzi acted stupid. Others may match his wisdom
but not his stupidity.”
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子曰：「甯武子，邦有道則知，邦無道則愚。
其知可及也，其愚不可及也。」
Book 5, The Analects

29. Chapter XXII
When Confucius was in the state of Chen, he said: “Let’s go home,
let’s go home! Our young people are full of fire and have
incredible talent, but they have no idea how to use it.”
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子在陳曰：「歸與！歸與！吾黨之小子狂簡，
斐然成章，不知所以裁之。」
Book 5, The Analects

30. Chapter XXIII
Confucius said: “Boyi and Shuqi never kept old grievances in mind and
hence rarely aroused any resentment.”
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子曰：「伯夷叔齊，不念舊惡，怨是用希。」
Book 5, The Analects

31. Chapter XXIV
Confucius said: “Who said that Weisheng Gao was upright?
When someone asked him for vinegar, he went and begged for
some from his neighbor and then gave it to them
as though it was his own gift.”
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子曰：「孰謂微生高直？或乞醯焉，
乞諸其鄰而與之。」
Book 5, The Analects

32. Chapter XXV
Confucius said: “Smooth talk, pretentiousness, and obsequiousness:
Zuo Qiuming detested such behavior, and I detest it too.
Acting friendly with a man you secretly resent:
Zuo Qiuming detested such behavior, and I detest it too.”
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子曰：「巧言、令色、足恭，左丘明恥之，
丘亦恥之。匿怨而友其人，
左丘明恥之，丘亦恥之。」
Book 5, The Analects

33. Chapter XXVI Part 1
When Yan Hui and Zilu were sitting together with him,
Confucius said: “How about telling me your aspirations?”
Zilu said: “My wish is to share my carriages, horses, clothes,
and furs with my friends without getting upset if they damage them.”
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顏淵、季路侍。子曰：「盍各言爾志？」
子路曰：「願車馬、衣輕裘，與朋友共，
敝之而無憾。」
Book 5, The Analects

34. Chapter XXVI Part 2
Yan Hui said: “My wish is never to boast about my abilities or call
attention to the trouble I take on behalf of others.”
Zilu said: “I would love to hear our master’s personal wishes.”
Confucius said: “My wish is to be able to provide comfort to the elderly,
to be faithful to my friends, and to cherish the young.”
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顏淵曰：「願無伐善，無施勞。」
子路曰：「願聞子之志。」
子曰：「老者安之，朋友信之，少者懷之。」
Book 5, The Analects

35. Chapter XXVII
Confucius said: “I give up! I have yet to meet a person capable of
seeing their own faults and taking themselves to
task in the court of their own heart.”
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子曰：「已矣乎！吾未見能見其過，
而內自訟者也。」
Book 5, The Analects

36. Chapter XXVIII
Confucius said: “In a hamlet of ten houses, you are certain to
find people as loyal and trustworthy as I am, but you will not find
a single person who loves learning as much as I do.”
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子曰：「十室之邑，必有忠信如丘者焉，
不如丘之好學也。」
Book 5, The Analects

37. Appendix
Book 5
論語
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38. Appearance Analysis Part I
Confucius
( 子 )
Gongye Chang
( 公冶長 )
Nan Rong
( 南容 )
Zijian
( 子賤 )
Zigong
( 子貢 )
Ran Yong
( 冉雍 )
Qidiao Kai
( 漆雕開 )
Zilu
( 子路 )
Chapter I Y Y
Chapter II Y Y
Chapter III Y Y
Chapter IV Y Y
Chapter V Y Y
Chapter VI Y Y
Chapter VII Y Y
Chapter VIII Y Y#
Chapter IX Y Y
Chapter X Y
Chapter XI Y
Chapter XII Y Y
Chapter XIII Y# Y
Chapter XIV Y
Chapter XV Y Y
Chapter XVI Y
Chapter XVII Y
Chapter XVIII Y
Chapter XIX Y
Chapter XX Y
Chapter XXI Y
Chapter XXII Y
Chapter XXIII Y
Chapter XXIV Y
Chapter XXV Y
Chapter XXVI Y Y
Chapter XXVII Y
Chapter XXVIII Y
Appearances (no.) 27 1 1 1 5 1 1 4
Appearances (%) 96.43% 3.57% 3.57% 3.57% 17.86% 3.57% 3.57% 14.29%
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39. Appearance Analysis Part I
Ran Qiu
( 冉求 )
Gongxi Chi
( 公西赤 )
Yan Hui
( 顏回 )
Zai Yu
( 宰予 )
Shen Cheng
( 申棖 )
Zizhang
( 子張 )
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII Y# Y#
Chapter IX Y
Chapter X Y
Chapter XI Y
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX Y
Chapter XX
Chapter XXI
Chapter XXII
Chapter XXIII
Chapter XXIV
Chapter XXV
Chapter XXVI Y
Chapter XXVII
Chapter XXVIII
Appearances (no) 1 1 2 1 1 1
Appearances (%) 3.57% 3.57% 7.14% 3.57% 3.57% 3.57%
Y# = mentioned but not quoted
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40. Themes Analysis
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Leader
( 君子 )
Learning
( 學 )
Governance
( 政 )
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III Y
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV Y
Chapter XVI Y
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX
Chapter XX
Chapter XXI
Chapter XXII
Chapter XXIII
Chapter XXIV
Chapter XXV
Chapter XXVI
Chapter XXVII
Chapter XXVIII Y
Appearances (no) 2 2 0
Appearances (%) 7.14% 7.14% 0.00%

41. Values Analysis
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Goodness
( 仁 )
Virtue
( 德 )
Rites
( 禮 )
Filial Piety
( 孝 )
Loyalty
( 忠 )
Trustworthiness
( 信 )
Rightness
( 義 )
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V Y
Chapter VI Y
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII Y
Chapter IX
Chapter X Y
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI Y
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX Y Y
Chapter XX
Chapter XXI
Chapter XXII
Chapter XXIII
Chapter XXIV
Chapter XXV
Chapter XXVI Y
Chapter XXVII
Chapter XXVIII Y Y
Appearances (no 3 0 0 0 2 4 1
Appearances (%) 10.71% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 7.14% 14.29% 3.57%

42. Minor Values Analysis
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Reciprocity
( 怒 )
Reverence
( 恭 )
Love
( 愛 )
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV Y
Chapter XVI
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX
Chapter XX
Chapter XXI
Chapter XXII
Chapter XXIII
Chapter XXIV
Chapter XXV
Chapter XXVI
Appearances (number) 1 0 0
Appearances (percentage) 3.85% 0.00% 0.00%