Book 1 學而篇第一

1.1 The Master said: "To learn, and at due times to practice what one has learned — is that not a pleasure? To have friends come from far away — is that not a joy? To go unacknowledged by others and not take it to heart — is that not the mark of a noble man?"

1.2 Youzi said: "Rare is the man who honors his parents and elders yet delights in defying his superiors. And never has one refused to defy his superiors yet delighted in stirring disorder. The noble man works at the root: when the root stands firm, the Way grows from it. Honor for parents and elders — is that not the root of character?"

1.3 The Master said: "Clever words and a pleasing mask — rarely do they dwell with humaneness."

1.4 Zengzi said: "Each day I examine myself on three counts: for others, have I been faithful in what I undertook? With friends, have I been trustworthy? Have I practiced what was handed down to me?"

1.5 The Master said: "To guide a state of a thousand chariots: meet your duties with reverence and keep your word; spend with measure and love the people; raise them only in their seasons."

1.6 The Master said: "A young man should be a good son at home, a good brother abroad; careful and truthful; loving toward all, keeping close to the best. When strength remains from all this, let him turn to study."

1.7 Zixia said: "To value worth over beauty; to serve father and mother with all one's strength; to serve one's lord ready to give even life; to keep faith with friends in every word — though men call such a one unlearned, I say he has learned."

1.8 The Master said: "A noble man without gravity has no dignity; his learning does not hold. Hold faithfulness and truth as first. Befriend no man who is not your equal in this. When you fault, do not fear to mend."

1.9 Zengzi said: "Care for the dying as they pass, and keep the memory of the distant dead: the people's virtue will turn back to depth."

1.10 Ziqin asked Zigong: "When the Master arrives in a state, he always hears of its government. Does he seek it, or is it given to him?" Zigong said: "The Master obtains it by warmth, goodness, respect, thrift, and deference. The Master's way of seeking — is it not other than the way of other men?"

1.11 The Master said: "While the father lives, watch a man's aims; when the father is gone, watch his conduct. If for three years he does not turn from his father's way, he may be called a good son."

1.12 Youzi said: "In the practice of ritual, harmony is the prize. The Way of the old kings was beautiful in this, the small and the great following it. Yet if harmony alone is sought, harmonizing without ritual will not do."

1.13 Youzi said: "A promise near to righteousness can be kept; respect near to ritual is far from shame; and he who does not cast off his kin can be depended on."

1.14 The Master said: "The noble man does not seek a full belly nor a soft home; he is quick in deeds and careful in words, and he draws near to men of the Way to set himself right. Such a one may be called a lover of learning."

1.15 Zigong said: "Poor yet no flatterer, rich yet no boaster — how is that?" The Master said: "It will do; yet not yet: poor yet joyful, rich yet loving of ritual." Zigong said: "The Ode says, 'As cut, as filed, as carved, as polished' — is that your meaning?" The Master said: "Now at last I can speak of the Odes with you: shown one corner, you return with the other three."

1.16 The Master said: "Do not fret that others do not know you; fret that you do not know others."

1.1 The Master said: "To learn something and practice it at the right times — isn't that a pleasure? To have friends arrive from far away — isn't that a joy? To stay calm when others don't notice you — that's what a good person does."

1.2 Youzi said: "It's rare for someone who respects his parents and elders to talk back to authority. And no one who respects authority goes looking for trouble. A good person works on the foundation: when the foundation is solid, the way of living grows from it. Respect for family is that foundation."

1.3 The Master said: "Smooth talk and a practiced smile rarely go with real goodness."

1.4 Zengzi said: "Every day I check myself on three things: Was I dependable in my work for others? Was I honest with my friends? Did I practice what I was taught?"

1.5 The Master said: "To run a big state: take your duties seriously, keep your word, spend carefully, care for the people, and don't make them work at the wrong times."

1.6 The Master said: "Young people should respect parents at home, respect elders outside, be careful and honest, care about everyone, and stay close to good people. If they still have energy left, then they should study."

1.7 Zixia said: "Value character over looks; do your utmost for your parents; give yourself fully to your work; be true to your word with friends. Even if people call that person uneducated, I'd say they're educated."

1.8 The Master said: "Without self-respect there's no authority, and learning won't stick. Put loyalty and honesty first. Choose friends who are your equals in that. When you're wrong, don't be afraid to fix it."

1.9 Zengzi said: "Take funerals seriously and honor the ancestors, and people's morals become deeper and kinder."

1.10 Ziqin asked Zigong: "Wherever the Master goes, he learns how the place is governed. Does he ask, or is it offered?" Zigong said: "He gets it by being warm, kind, respectful, frugal, and humble. His way of asking is different from everyone else's."

1.11 The Master said: "While the father is alive, watch what the son wants; after the father dies, watch what he does. If for three years he keeps his father's ways, he's a good son."

1.12 Youzi said: "In following tradition, harmony is what matters most. The old kings ran everything that way, big and small. But harmony by itself, without proper form, won't work."

1.13 Youzi said: "A promise that's fair is a promise you can keep. Respect shown the right way keeps you out of trouble. Stick by your family, and people can rely on you."

1.14 The Master said: "A good person doesn't chase rich food or a fancy home. They act fast, speak carefully, and go to good people to fix their faults. That's loving to learn."

1.15 Zigong said: "Poor but not fawning, rich but not arrogant — how's that?" The Master said: "Fine, but better: poor yet cheerful, rich yet courteous." Zigong said: "Like the poem: 'cut, filed, carved, polished'?" The Master said: "Now I can really talk poetry with you — show you one corner and you see the other three."

1.16 The Master said: "Don't worry that people don't understand you; worry that you don't understand them."