Wei Zheng Chapter
Quotes from this article
"Wei Zheng" chapter includes 24 chapters. The main content of this article involves Confucius's thought of "governing with virtue", the basic principles of how to seek an official position and working in politics as an official, the relationship between learning and thinking, Confucius's own learning and cultivation process, the learning method of reviewing the past and learning the new, and the Further elaboration of moral categories such as filial piety and brotherhood.
Original text
2?1 Confucius said: "Government is based on virtue (1), such as Beichen (2), living in its place (3) and the stars are shining (4 )."
Notes
(1) To govern with virtue: To, to use. This sentence means that rulers should rule with morality, that is, "rule by virtue".
(2) Beichen: North Star.
(3) Place: location, location.
(4)***: Same arch, meaning surrounding.
Translation
Confucius said: "(The Lord of Zhou) governs political affairs with moral education, and he will be like the North Star, which occupies a certain position and the stars will surround it. ."
Commentary
This passage represents Confucius's thought of "governing with virtue", which means that if the ruler implements moral governance, the officials and the people will automatically revolve around you. This emphasizes the decisive role of morality in political life and advocates the use of moral education as the principle of governing the country. This is the more valuable part of Confucius's teachings, which shows that the basic principle of Confucian governance is the rule of virtue, not harsh punishment.
Original text
2?2 The Master said: "Three hundred poems (1) can be summed up in one sentence (2), saying: "Thinking is innocent (3). ”
Notes
(1) Three hundred poems: Poetry refers to the book "The Book of Songs". There are actually 305 poems in this book, and three hundred is just an integer.
(2) Cover: the meaning of summary.
(3) Thinking without evil: This is a sentence from "The Book of Songs", and the word "thinking" here is the meaning of Wuxie. , one interpretation is "pure", the other is "straight", the latter is more appropriate
Translation
Confucius said: "The three hundred chapters of the Book of Songs can be used in one sentence. To sum it up, it is 'purity of thought'. ”
Commentary
In the time of Confucius, there were not many books for students to read. After the "Book of Songs" was compiled and processed by Confucius, it was used as a teaching material. Confucius had great influence on the "Book of Songs" After studying it in depth, he used the word "si Wuxie" to summarize it. >
2?3 Confucius said: "The way (1) is based on government, the rule (2) is punishment, the people are exempted (3) and shameless (4), the way is virtue, the rule is courtesy, there is shame And the case (5). "
Notes
(1): There are two explanations: one is "guidance"; the other is "governance". The former is more appropriate.
(2) Qi: neatness, restraint.
(3) avoid, avoid.
(4) Shame: shame.
(5) ) case: There are two interpretations: one is "to"; the other is "zheng"
Translation
Confucius said: "Use legal prohibitions to guide the people, and use criminal laws to restrain them. They, the common people just want to avoid being punished for crimes, but they have lost their sense of shame; if they use moral education to guide the people and use etiquette to unify their words and deeds, the people will not only have a sense of shame, but also abide by the rules. ”
Commentary
In this chapter, Confucius cited two completely different policies for governing the country. Confucius believed that punishment can only make people avoid committing crimes, but cannot make people understand the shamefulness of committing crimes. , and moral education is much smarter than punishment. It can not only make people obey the rules, but also make them feel ashamed. This reflects the characteristics of morality in governing a country that are different from the legal system. However, it should also be pointed out: Confucius's thought of "governing with virtue" emphasizes the importance of morality, but ignores the role of criminal administration and legal system in governing the country.
Original text
2?4 Zi. Said: "I have ten (1) at five I am determined to learn, at thirty I am established (2), at forty I am not confused (3), at fifty I know the destiny (4), at sixty I am obedient (5), at seventy I am Follow your heart's desires without exceeding the rules (6). "
Notes
(1) There is: the same as "you".
(2) Li: It means to stand.
(3) Not confused: Master the knowledge and not be confused by external things.
(4) Destiny: Refers to things that cannot be controlled by human power.
(5) Ershun: There are many explanations for this. Generally speaking, it means to treat opinions that are not good for oneself correctly.
(6) Follow one’s own desires without exceeding the rules: obey, which means to obey; exceed, which means to go beyond the rules. , rules.
Translation
Confucius said: "I am determined to study at the age of fifteen; I can be independent at the age of thirty; I can not be confused by external things at the age of fifty; Understand the destiny; at the age of sixty, you can treat all kinds of opinions correctly without feeling uncomfortable; at the age of seventy, you can do whatever you want without going beyond the rules. ”
Commentary
In this chapter, Confucius describes his learning and cultivation process. This process is a process of gradually improving his ideological realm as he grows older.
As far as the ideological realm is concerned, the whole process is divided into three stages: the age of fifteen to forty is the stage of learning and understanding; the age of fifty and sixty is the stage of peace of mind, that is, the stage of not being affected by the environment; the stage of seventy Age is the stage when subjective consciousness and rules of life merge into one. In this stage, moral cultivation reaches its highest level. There are reasonable factors in Confucius' moral cultivation process: First, he saw that human moral cultivation is not something that happens overnight. It cannot be completed all at once or in a sudden attack. It must go through a long period of study and exercise, and it must be a step-by-step process. Second, the highest state of morality is the integration of thoughts, words and deeds, and consciously abide by moral norms rather than doing it reluctantly. These two points are applicable to everyone.
Original text
2?5 Meng Yizi (1) asked about filial piety, and the Master said: "No violation. (2)" Fan Chi (3) Yu (4), the Master told him : "Meng Sun (5) asked about filial piety to me, and I said nothing against it." Fan Chi said: "What do you mean?" Confucius said: "In life, things should be done with propriety; in death, burial should be done with propriety, and sacrifices should be done with propriety. ."
Notes
(1) Meng Yizi: a senior official in the state of Lu, one of the three families. His surname was Zhongsun and his given name was He Ji. "Yi" is his posthumous title. Before his death, his father asked him to learn etiquette from Confucius.
(2) No violation: Do not violate it.
(3) Fan Chi: The surname is Fan, the name is Xu, and the courtesy name is Zi Chi. A disciple of Confucius, 46 years younger than Confucius. He and Ran Qiu helped Ji Kangzi carry out reforms.
(4) Royal: driving a carriage.
(5) Meng Sun: refers to Meng Yizi.
Translation
Meng Yizi asked what filial piety is, and Confucius said: "Filial piety means not violating etiquette." Later Fan Chi drove Confucius, and Confucius told him: "Meng Sun asked me what filial piety is. "Filial piety," I replied: "Don't violate etiquette." Fan Chi said, "What do you mean by don't violate etiquette?" Confucius said, "When your parents are alive, you must serve them according to etiquette; after your parents die, you must bury them according to etiquette." Sacrifice them."
Commentary
Confucius attached great importance to filial piety and required people to be filial to their parents, whether they were alive or dead. But the emphasis here is that one should not violate the rules of etiquette when performing filial piety, otherwise it is not true filial piety. It can be seen that filial piety is not empty or arbitrary. It must be stipulated by etiquette. Acting according to etiquette is filial piety.
Original text
2?6 Meng Wubo (1) asked about filial piety, and Confucius said: "My parents only worry about their illness (2)."
Notes
Notes
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(1) Meng Wubo: Meng Yizi’s son, named Pig. Wu is his posthumous title.
(2) Parents only worry about their illness: their, pronoun, refers to parents. disease.
Translation
Meng Wubo asked Confucius for advice on filial piety. Confucius said: "To your parents, you should be particularly worried about their illness. (Doing so can be regarded as filial piety.)"
Commentary
This chapter is about Confucius asking about filial piety to Meng Yizi's son answer. There have always been three explanations for Confucius' statement that parents only worry about their children's illness: 1. Parents love their children and are afraid that they will get sick. Children can understand their parents' feelings and be extra careful in their daily lives. , this is filial piety. 2. As children, parents only need to worry when they are sick, but do not have to worry about other aspects, which shows the parent-child affection. 3. Children only need to worry about their parents’ illness and do not need to worry too much about other aspects. This article adopts the third argument.
Original text
2?7 Zi You (1) asked about filial piety. Confucius said: "Today's filial piety means being able to raise people. As for dogs and horses, they can all be raised (2). Disrespect, why should we be different?"
Notes
(1) Ziyou: surname Yan, given name Ziyou, a native of Wu, 45 years younger than Confucius.
(2) Yang: Yin yàng.
Translation
Ziyou asked what filial piety is, and Confucius said: "The so-called filial piety today only means being able to support your parents. However, even dogs and horses can be raised. If If you don’t intend to honor your parents, what’s the difference between supporting your parents and raising dogs and horses?”
Commentary
This article still talks about the issue of filial piety. There have always been several different interpretations of the sentence "As for dogs and horses, all can be raised." The first is that dogs can guard gates and horse-drawn carts carry loads, and they can also serve people; the second is that dogs and horses can also be fed by people. This article adopts the latter statement, which is more appropriate.
Original text
2?8 Zi Xia asked about filial piety, and Confucius said: "It is difficult to look at sex (1). If you have something to do, I will do my best (2); if you have food and wine, sir (3) Food (4), did you ever think you were filial? "
Notes
(1) Color is difficult: color, complexion. Difficult means not easy.
(2) Service: serve, engage in, bear responsibility. To serve is to serve.
(3) Sir: Sir refers to elders or parents; the disciple mentioned above refers to juniors, children, etc.
(4) Food: The sound is zhuàn, which means food, eating and drinking.
, children need to do it for their parents. If they have food and wine, can they be considered filial piety if they let their parents eat? ”
Commentary
Part 5 of this article? Chapters 6, 7, and 8 are all about Confucius discussing issues related to filial piety.
The filial piety advocated by Confucius is reflected in all aspects and at all levels, reflecting the needs of the patriarchal system and adapting to the needs of the society at that time. A different thought is to not only serve parents formally according to the principles of Zhou rites, but also to truly honor parents from the bottom of one's heart.
Original text
2?9 Confucius said: "I have spoken to Hui (1), and I will not disobey (2) all day long, just like a fool. If I retreat and think about my own selfishness (3), I will It's enough to send, and it's not stupid to return."
Notes
(1) Return: surname Yan, name Hui, courtesy name Ziyuan, born in 521 BC, 30 years younger than Confucius. , a native of Lu, a favorite disciple of Confucius.
(2) No violation: do not raise contrary opinions and questions.
(3) Retreat and reflect on your own private matters: Examine Yan Hui’s words and deeds in discussing knowledge with other students in private.
Translation
Confucius said: "I lectured Yan Hui all day long, and he never raised any objections or questions, like a fool. After he left, I examined him in private I found that he made some use of what I taught, which shows that Yan Hui is not stupid. ”
Analysis
This chapter talks about Confucius’ educational thoughts and methods. He is dissatisfied with the kind of students who "never violate the rules all day long" and never raise opposing opinions or questions. He hopes that students should use their brains to think about problems when receiving education, and should make use of the issues raised by the teacher. Therefore, he believes that people who do not think about problems and do not express different opinions are stupid people.
Original text
2?10 Confucius said: "Look at its reason (1), observe its origin (2), observe its placement (3), how can a person become thinner (4 )? What’s wrong with people?”
Notes
(1) So: What you do.
(2) Origin: the path traveled.
(3) Peace of mind: Peace of mind.
(4)廋: Sound sōu, hiding, hiding.
Translation
Confucius said: "(To understand a person), you should look at the motivations of his words and deeds, observe the path he takes, and examine what he does with peace of mind. In this way, how can this person be successful? How can this person hide it? ”
Analysis
This article mainly talks about how to understand other people’s problems. Confucius believed that when it comes to people, you should listen to their words and observe their actions. You should also look at his state of mind when doing things. If you fully understand and observe a person from his words and actions to his heart, then this person will have nothing to hide. .
Original text
2?11 Confucius said: "Those who review the past and learn the new(1) can become a teacher."
Comments
(1) Review the past and learn the new: Therefore, what has passed. New, just learned knowledge.
Translation
Confucius said: "When reviewing old knowledge, you can have new experiences and new discoveries, and you can become a teacher."
Commentary
p>“Reviewing the past to learn the new” is one of Confucius’ major contributions to our country’s education. He believed that by constantly reviewing the knowledge you have learned, you can acquire new knowledge. This learning method not only had its value in the feudal era, but also has undeniable adaptability today. People's new knowledge and new knowledge are often developed on the basis of knowledge learned in the past. Therefore, reviewing the past and learning the new is a very feasible learning method.
Original text
2?12 Confucius said: "A gentleman does not have weapons (1)."
Notes
(1) Utensils: appliance.
Translation
Confucius said: "A gentleman is not like a tool (which has only one use)."
Commentary
A gentleman is a person with an ideal personality in the eyes of Confucius. He is not a common man. He should shoulder the important task of governing the country and ensuring its security. Internally, he can properly handle various government affairs; externally, he can deal with all parties and does not disgrace the emperor's orders. Therefore, Confucius said that a gentleman should be knowledgeable and have talents in many aspects, not just limited to one aspect. Therefore, he can see the overall situation, lead the overall situation, and become a qualified leader. This kind of thinking still has merit today.
Original text
2?13 Zigong asked the gentleman. The Master said: "First do what you say and then follow it."
Translation
Zigong asked how to be a gentleman. Confucius said: "Practice what you want to say first, and then say it out. (This is enough to be called a gentleman)."
Commentary
Be a morally cultivated, moral person To have a learned gentleman is the goal that Confucius' disciples strive for. Confucius believed that as a gentleman, you should not just talk but not do it, but should do it first and then talk about it. Only by doing it first and then talking can you win people's trust.
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(1) Week: gregarious.
(2) Ratio: sound bì, collusion.
(3) Villain: a mortal without moral cultivation.
Translation
Confucius said: "A gentleman is gregarious and does not collude with others; a villain colludes with others and does not collude with others."
Commentary
Confucius pointed out in this chapter that one of the differences between a gentleman and a villain is that villains form cliques for personal gain, collude with others, and cannot get along well with most people; The gentleman is different. He has a broad mind, lives in harmony with everyone, and never colludes with others. This idea still has its positive significance today.
Original text
2?15 Confucius said: "Learning without thinking is a waste (1), thinking without learning is peril (2)."
Notes
(1)罔: confused, confused.
(2) Danger; doubt, danger.
Translation
Confucius said: "If you only read and study without thinking about problems, you will be ignorant and gain nothing; if you only dream without reading and studying, you will be confused and unsure." "
Commentary
Confucius believed that in the process of learning, learning and thinking cannot be neglected. He pointed out the limitations of learning without thinking, and also revealed the shortcomings of thinking without learning. It advocates the combination of learning and thinking. Only by combining learning and thinking can you become a moral and knowledgeable person. This kind of thinking has its value worthy of recognition in today's educational activities.
Original text
2?16 Confucius said: "If you attack (1) the heresy (2), this (3) will do harm to (4)."
Notes
(1) Attack: attack. Some people interpret "attack" as "governing". inappropriate.
(2) Heresy: incorrect remarks. Also, a different end.
(3) Si: pronoun, this.
(4) Also: used as a modal particle here.
Translation
Confucius said: "If you attack those incorrect remarks, the harm will be eliminated."
Original text
2? 17 Confucius said: "From (1), teach the girl (2), do you know it? Knowing it means knowing it, not knowing it means not knowing it, this is knowing."
Notes
(1) From : The surname is Zhong, the name is You, and the courtesy name is Zilu. Born in 542 BC, he was a student of Confucius and a long-term follower of Confucius.
(2) Female: Same as you, you.
Translation
Confucius said: "You, if I teach you how to do it, do you understand it? If you know, you know, if you don't know, you don't know. This is wisdom! "
Commentary
In this chapter, Confucius said a profound truth: "Knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing." People should know about cultural knowledge and other social knowledge. Study humbly, study hard, and master as much as possible. But no matter how rich a person’s knowledge is, there will always be things he doesn’t understand. Then, we should have a realistic attitude. Only in this way can we learn more knowledge.
Original text
2?18 Zizhang (1) Xue Qianlu (2), Confucius said: "If you hear more about Que (3) and doubt (4), be careful about the rest, then There are many shortcomings, and if you act cautiously, you will have few regrets. If you don’t speak well, you will have few regrets. "
Notes
(1) )Zizhang: The famous teacher surnamed Zhuansun, named Zizhang, was born in 503 BC, 48 years younger than Confucius, and a student of Confucius.
(2) Qianlu: Qian means seeking. Lu refers to the salary of ancient officials. Qianlu means seeking an official position.
(3) Que: missing. Here it means to set aside.
(4) Doubt: doubt.
(5) 无你: 无, means few. Especially, fault.
Translation
Zizhang wanted to learn how to get an official position. Confucius said: "Listen more, put aside any doubts you have, and speak out carefully if you are confident, so that you can make fewer mistakes; read more, put aside any doubts you have." If you don’t do it, you should also do it cautiously, and you will have fewer regrets. Make fewer mistakes when you speak, and have fewer regrets when doing things. This is where your official salary comes from.”
Commentary
Confucius did not object to his students seeking official positions. In the Analects, there is also the concept of "excellence in learning leads to officialdom". He believes that those in official positions should be cautious in their words and deeds, say what they are sure of, and do things they are sure of. This can reduce mistakes and regrets. This is a responsible attitude towards the country and individuals. Of course, what is said here is not just a method of being an official, but also shows Confucius's concept on the relationship between knowledge and action. It is a further explanation of "Knowing is knowing" in the previous chapter.
Original text
2?19 Duke Ai (1) asked: "What should be done to make the people obey?" Confucius replied (2): "If you raise the straight and make mistakes (3), Then
the people will obey; if you make mistakes and make mistakes, the people will not obey."
(1) Duke Ai: His surname is Ji and his given name is Jiang. Ai is his posthumous title. He was the king of Lu, AD. Reigned from 494 BC to 468 BC.
(2) Dui Yue: The Analects of Confucius records that answers to questions from the king and those in authority are all answered with "dui Yue" to show respect.
(3) Juzhicuozhuwang: Ju means selection. Straight, upright and fair. Wrong, take the same measures, arrange. In vain, not honest.
Translation
Duke Ai of Lu asked: "How can we make the people obey?" Confucius replied: "Promote the upright and selfless people and put aside the evil and unrighteous people. The people will obey the rule; if the evil and unrighteous people are promoted and the upright and selfless people are put aside, the people will not obey the rule.
”
Commentary
Be close to gentlemen and stay away from villains. This is Confucius’s consistent proposition. This is still the case on the issue of selecting talents. Recommending talents, selecting talents and using them, this It is an important part of Confucius' thought on moral governance. In the selection of officials under the patriarchal system, people who are not close relatives will not be selected, no matter how talented they are. It is a great progress. The idea of ??"appointing people on their merits" has not lost its precious value today.
Original text
2?20 Ji Kangzi (1) asked: "To make the people respect, Loyalty (2) and advice (3), how about that? Confucius said: "If you use kindness (4), you will be respectful; if you are filial and kind (5), you will be loyal; if you do good but cannot teach, then you will encourage." ”
Notes
(1) Ji Kangzi: His surname was Ji Sun, his surname was Fei, and Kang was his posthumous name. Duke Ai of Lu was then the minister, and he was the most powerful person in politics at that time.
(2) With: conjunction, the same as "er"
(3) To encourage: to encourage oneself.
(4) Lin: Treat.
(5) Filial piety and kindness: One means that the people in power are filial and kind; the other means that the people in power are filial and kind.
The translation is used here. p>
Ji Kangzi asked: "What should be done to make the people respect, be loyal to and work hard for those in power? Confucius said: "If you treat the people with dignity, they will respect you; if you are filial to your parents and kind to your children, the people will be loyal to you; if you select kind people and educate those with poor abilities, the people will be loyal to you." We will encourage each other and work harder. "
Commentary
The content of this chapter is still about how to engage in politics. Confucius advocated "rule by etiquette" and "rule by virtue", which is not only for the common people, but also for those in power. In this way, those in power should be solemn, rigorous, filial and kind, and the people will respect those in power, be loyal and work hard.
Original text
21 or (1). Confucius said: "Zi Xi (2) is not interested in politics? Confucius said: ""Book" (3) says: "Filial piety is nothing but filial piety and friendship with brothers." ’ Applying to You Zheng (4) is also Zheng, and ridiculing it for being Zheng? "
Notes
(1) Or: someone. Indefinite pronoun.
(2) Xi: interrogative word, equivalent to "why".
(3) "Book": refers to "Shang Shu"
(4) Shi Yu Youzheng: Shi: one is for implementation; the other is for extension.
Translation.
Someone said to Confucius: "Why don't you engage in politics? Confucius replied: "The Book of Documents says, 'Filial piety means honoring parents and being friendly to brothers. ’ Applying this principle of filial piety and brotherhood to political affairs is to engage in politics. How can it be regarded as doing politics? ”
Commentary
This chapter reflects two aspects of Confucius’ ideological propositions. First, national politics is based on filial piety, and only those who are filial to their fathers and brothers are qualified to hold official positions in the country . It illustrates Confucius's ideological proposition of "Government by virtue". Secondly, Confucius is engaged in education not only to teach students, but also to indirectly participate in national politics through educating students. This is the essence of his educational thoughts and his political conduct. A form of.
Original text
2?22 The Master said: "People who do not have faith do not know what to do. A big cart has no harness (1), and a small cart has no shafts (2). How can it move? ”
Notes
(1)輗: pronounced ní, the wooden pin on the crossbar in front of the shaft of an ancient cart. The cart refers to an ox cart.
(2) Fu: The sound is yuè, the wooden pin on the crossbar in front of the shaft of an ancient cart.
Translation
Confucius said: "One. It is simply not allowed for people to be dishonest. Just like a big cart without a hook or a small cart with no handles, how can it move? ”
Commentary
Faith is one of the traditional Confucian ethical principles. Confucius believed that faith is the basis for a person’s conduct in life. In the Analects of Confucius, faith has two meanings: The first is trust, which is to gain the trust of others, and the second is to be trustworthy to others. The morality of trust is mentioned in the following chapters such as "Zi Zhang", "Yang Huo" and "Zi Lu". >Original text
2?23 Zi Zhang asked: "Can we know the ten generations (1)? "The Master said: The Yin Dynasty (2) relied on the Xia rites, and its gains and losses (3) can be known; the Zhou Dynasty relied on the Yin rites, and its gains and losses can be known. Those who may have succeeded the Zhou Dynasty will be known even if they last for hundreds of generations."
< p>Notes(1) Life: In ancient times, 30 years was called one life. Some also interpret "shi" as dynasty.
(2) Cause: inheritance: inheritance, inheritance.
(3) Profit and loss: reduction and increase, which means optimization and change.
Translation
Zizhang asked Confucius: "Can (the etiquette system) of the next ten generations be known in advance?" Confucius replied: "The Shang Dynasty inherited the etiquette system of the Xia Dynasty. What was reduced and what was added can be known; the Zhou Dynasty inherited the etiquette system of the Shang Dynasty, and what was abolished and what was added can also be known by those who will succeed the Zhou Dynasty in the future, that is, what will happen a hundred generations later. It can also be known in advance."
Commentary
In this chapter, Confucius proposed an important concept: profit and loss. Its meaning is increase or decrease, change or change. That is to say, there are inheritance and inheritance of the previous dynasty's laws, regulations and etiquette norms, but there are also reforms and adaptations.
This shows that Confucius himself was not a die-hard conservative and did not necessarily want to go back to the Zhougong era, nor did he oppose all reforms. Of course, the extent of his profits and losses is limited, and it is based on the premise that the basic nature of Zhou Li is not changed.
Original text
2?24 Confucius said: "Sacrifice to someone who is not a ghost (1); flattery (2); do not act when you see righteousness (3), there is no courage."
Notes
(1) Ghost: There are two interpretations: one refers to ghosts and gods, and the other refers to dead ancestors. This generally refers to ghosts and gods.
(2) Flattery: sound chǎn, flattery, flattery.
(3) Righteousness: What people should do is righteousness.
Translation
Confucius said: "If you sacrifice to ghosts and gods that are not the ones you should sacrifice, this is flattery. If you see something that should be done, but stand by and watch, it is cowardice." ."
Commentary
In this chapter, Confucius also proposed the concepts of "righteousness" and "brave", which are Confucian norms for building noble personality. Notes from "Analects of Confucius": meaning, what is appropriate. What meets the requirements of benevolence and propriety is righteousness. "Yong" means courageous and courageous. Confucius regarded "brave" as one of the conditions for practicing "benevolence". "Courage" must comply with "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom" to be considered brave, otherwise it is "chaos".