子曰：“吾十有五而至于学，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳顺，七十而从心所欲，不逾矩。”
The Master said: When I was fifteen I set my heart on learning. At thirty I took my stand. At forty I was without confusion. At fifty I knew the command of Tian. At sixty I follow the desire of my heart and do not overstep the bounds.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Book II-Chapter3
子曰："道之以政，齐之以刑，民免而无耻。道之以德，齐之以礼，有耻且格。"
The Master said: Guide them with policies and align them with punishments and the people will evade them and have no shame. Guide them with virtue and align them with li and the people will have a sense of shame and fulfill their roles.
The Master said: Guide them with policies and align them with punishments and the people will evade them and have no shame. Guide them with virtue and align them with li and the people will have a sense of shame and fulfill their roles.
Book II--Chapter 2
子曰：‘《诗》三百，一言以蔽之，曰：‘思无邪’。’
The Master said: There are three hundred songs in the Poetry, yet one phrase cover them all: "Thoughts unswerving."
'The Poetry' refers to an anthology of popular and court songs largely complied during the pre-Classical era(c. 1000-600). The Confucian school believed it had been complied by sages, such as the founding Zhou Dynasty kings, and was thus a repository of wisdom. Confucius himself was seen as its final editor.
The Master said: There are three hundred songs in the Poetry, yet one phrase cover them all: "Thoughts unswerving."
'The Poetry' refers to an anthology of popular and court songs largely complied during the pre-Classical era(c. 1000-600). The Confucian school believed it had been complied by sages, such as the founding Zhou Dynasty kings, and was thus a repository of wisdom. Confucius himself was seen as its final editor.
Book II -Chapter1
子曰：“为政以德，譬如北辰，居其所而众星共之。”
The Master said: When one rules by means of virtue it is like the North Star--it dwells in its place and the other stars pay reverence to it.
'Virtue' translates de德， a key ethical term with a range of meanings that shift with context. The vague term 'virtue' is an imperfect fit, but flexible enough to serve.
The Master said: When one rules by means of virtue it is like the North Star--it dwells in its place and the other stars pay reverence to it.
'Virtue' translates de德， a key ethical term with a range of meanings that shift with context. The vague term 'virtue' is an imperfect fit, but flexible enough to serve.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter17
子曰：“不患人之不己知，患不知人也。”
The master said: I don't worry about other people don't understand me, however, I worry about that I don't understand other people.
The master said: I don't worry about other people don't understand me, however, I worry about that I don't understand other people.
The Master said: Do not be concerned that no one recognizes your merits. Be concerned that you ma not recognize others'.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter16
子贡曰：“《诗》云：‘如切如磋，如琢如磨’，其斯之谓与？”子曰：“赐也，始可与言《诗》已矣，告诸往而知来者。”
Zigong said, "In the Poetry it says,
As though cut, as though chiseled,
As though carved, as though polished.
Is that what you mean?"
The Master said, "Ah, Si! -- I can finally begin to talk about the Poetry with him. I tell him what what came before and he understands what is coming next."
Zigong said, "In the Poetry it says,
As though cut, as though chiseled,
As though carved, as though polished.
Is that what you mean?"
The Master said, "Ah, Si! -- I can finally begin to talk about the Poetry with him. I tell him what what came before and he understands what is coming next."
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter15
子贡曰：“贫而无谄，富而无骄，何如？”子曰：“可也。未若贫而乐，富而好礼者也。”
Zigong said, "To be poor but never a flatterer; to be wealthy but never arrogant -- what would you say to that?"
The master said, "That's fine, but not so good as: To be poor but joyful; to be wealthy and love li."
Zigong said, "To be poor but never a flatterer; to be wealthy but never arrogant -- what would you say to that?"
The master said, "That's fine, but not so good as: To be poor but joyful; to be wealthy and love li."
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter12
有子曰：“礼之用，和为贵。先王之道斯为美，小大由之。有所不行，知和而和，不以礼节之，亦不可行也。”
Master You said:
In the practice of li,
Harmony is the key.
In the Dao of the kings of old,
This was the beauty.
In all affairs, great and small, follow this. Yet there is one respect in which one does not. To act in harmony simply because one understands what is harmonious, but not to regulate one's conduct according to li: indeed, one cannot act in that way.
Notes: Li 礼 refers to the body of religious, political, and common ceremonial forms that marked the Zhou cultural sphere as "patterned"(wen), or civilized. Confucians believed that li had evolved, through sage trial and error, from the earliest leaders of previous dynasties to its apex in the initial centuries of Zhou era. ('Li' may be singular or plural.)
Master You said:
In the practice of li,
Harmony is the key.
In the Dao of the kings of old,
This was the beauty.
In all affairs, great and small, follow this. Yet there is one respect in which one does not. To act in harmony simply because one understands what is harmonious, but not to regulate one's conduct according to li: indeed, one cannot act in that way.
Notes: Li 礼 refers to the body of religious, political, and common ceremonial forms that marked the Zhou cultural sphere as "patterned"(wen), or civilized. Confucians believed that li had evolved, through sage trial and error, from the earliest leaders of previous dynasties to its apex in the initial centuries of Zhou era. ('Li' may be singular or plural.)
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter14
子曰：“君子食无求饱，居无求安，敏于事而慎于言，就有道而正焉，可谓好学也已。”
The master said: A junzi is not concerned that food fill his belly; he doesn't seek comfort in his residence.
If a person is apt in conduct and cautious in speech, stays near those who keep to the dao and corrects himself thereby, he may be said to love learning.
The master said: A junzi is not concerned that food fill his belly; he doesn't seek comfort in his residence.
If a person is apt in conduct and cautious in speech, stays near those who keep to the dao and corrects himself thereby, he may be said to love learning.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter13
有子曰：“信近于义，言可复也。恭近于礼，远耻辱也。因不失其亲，亦可宗也。"
Master You said: Trustworthiness is close to righteousness: one's words are tested true. Reverence is close to li: it keeps shame and disgrace at a distance. One who can accord with these and not depart from his father's way-- such a one may truly be revered.
Master You said: Trustworthiness is close to righteousness: one's words are tested true. Reverence is close to li: it keeps shame and disgrace at a distance. One who can accord with these and not depart from his father's way-- such a one may truly be revered.
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter11
子曰：“父在，观其志；父没，观其行；三年无改于父之道，可谓孝矣。”
In this chapter, the confusicus believed that the way to observe if one person has real good personality, is to observe his ambition when his father is still alive; and his behaviors after his father's death. If this person didn't change his behavior for 3 years, that is real good.
In this chapter, the confusicus believed that the way to observe if one person has real good personality, is to observe his ambition when his father is still alive; and his behaviors after his father's death. If this person didn't change his behavior for 3 years, that is real good.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter10
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter 10
子禽问于子贡："夫子至于是邦也，必闻其政。求之与？抑与之与？"子贡曰：“夫子温、良、恭、俭、让以得之。夫子之求之也，其诸异乎人之求之与！”
Ziqin asked Zigong, "When our Master travels to a state, he always learns the affairs of its government. Does he seek out the information, or do people give it to him of their own accord?"
Zigong said, "Our Master obtains this information by being friendly, straightforward, reverential, frugal, and modest. The way our Master seeks things is different from the way others do!"
Ziqin asked Zigong, "When our Master travels to a state, he always learns the affairs of its government. Does he seek out the information, or do people give it to him of their own accord?"
Zigong said, "Our Master obtains this information by being friendly, straightforward, reverential, frugal, and modest. The way our Master seeks things is different from the way others do!"
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter9
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter9
曾子曰："慎终追远，民德归厚矣。"
Master Zeng said: Devote care to life's end and pursue respect for the distant dead; in this way, the virtue of the people will return to fullness.
So in this chapter, Master Zeng, who I believe is also one of Confucius' students, was giving his understanding about how to develop ethics among the society. He believed that, we needed to have respect for human being's death, and always gave our memorize to our ancestors, in this way, the society of ethics environment would go to the virtue path.
I think in this chapter, the way of showing respect to death, actually is showing the love of human beings. Since we will devote love and respect to death, we surely will love people who are alive, and love people around us. When the society is based on love, this society will be surrounded by an ethics environment.
曾子曰："慎终追远，民德归厚矣。"
Master Zeng said: Devote care to life's end and pursue respect for the distant dead; in this way, the virtue of the people will return to fullness.
So in this chapter, Master Zeng, who I believe is also one of Confucius' students, was giving his understanding about how to develop ethics among the society. He believed that, we needed to have respect for human being's death, and always gave our memorize to our ancestors, in this way, the society of ethics environment would go to the virtue path.
I think in this chapter, the way of showing respect to death, actually is showing the love of human beings. Since we will devote love and respect to death, we surely will love people who are alive, and love people around us. When the society is based on love, this society will be surrounded by an ethics environment.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter8
子曰："君子不重，则不威。学则不固。主忠信。无友不如己者。过则勿惮改。 "
The master said: If a junzi is not serious he will not be held in awe. If you study you will not be crude. Take loyalty and trustworthiness as the pivot and have no friends who are not like yourself in this. If you err, do not be afraid to correct yourself.
From this Chapter, we can understand why Chinese look more serious than people grown up in western culture. We don't appreciate to make jokes on studying or government management. Disciplines and rules are strict in most areas.
Only through studying, people can grow and change to be a better person.
Master suggested we should make friends with those who think alike ourselves in those aspects. And never be afraid to face it and correct the err we made.
The master said: If a junzi is not serious he will not be held in awe. If you study you will not be crude. Take loyalty and trustworthiness as the pivot and have no friends who are not like yourself in this. If you err, do not be afraid to correct yourself.
From this Chapter, we can understand why Chinese look more serious than people grown up in western culture. We don't appreciate to make jokes on studying or government management. Disciplines and rules are strict in most areas.
Only through studying, people can grow and change to be a better person.
Master suggested we should make friends with those who think alike ourselves in those aspects. And never be afraid to face it and correct the err we made.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter7
子夏曰：“贤贤易色；事父母，能竭其力，事君，能致其学；与朋友交，言而有信。虽曰未学，吾必谓之学矣。”
Zixia, one of the Confucius' students, said, that, rather than judging people's appearance, we should respect people's personalities first. When we treat parents, we do the best we can to be nice; when we server the governor, we make use of the most of what we have learned; when we are being with friends, we keep our words. Those who have achieved these standard, even though they think themselves don't have a lot education, I definitely believe they are truly educated.
Zixia, one of the Confucius' students, said, that, rather than judging people's appearance, we should respect people's personalities first. When we treat parents, we do the best we can to be nice; when we server the governor, we make use of the most of what we have learned; when we are being with friends, we keep our words. Those who have achieved these standard, even though they think themselves don't have a lot education, I definitely believe they are truly educated.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter6
子曰：“弟子入则孝，出则悌，谨而信，泛爱众，而亲仁。行有余力，则以学文。”
As a little background, young students usually has two typical status, staying home with their father, or studying in school following teachers.
So in this chapter, the Confucius said, when student stay home, should follow the words from their father and have good son-father relationship; when student go to school, they should respect teacher and follow teacher's words. Also, the Confucius believes that, students should always watch their behaviors and develop outstanding personalities, such as always be careful what words comes from mouth and keep them, love people, and be close to the people who has the same outstanding personalities. All of those behaviors comes to the priority of self-growing. When students still has extra time, they can take classes and get more educated and knowledge.
What we can see from this chapter, the Confucius believes that, having a good personality is more important than being well educated.
As a little background, young students usually has two typical status, staying home with their father, or studying in school following teachers.
So in this chapter, the Confucius said, when student stay home, should follow the words from their father and have good son-father relationship; when student go to school, they should respect teacher and follow teacher's words. Also, the Confucius believes that, students should always watch their behaviors and develop outstanding personalities, such as always be careful what words comes from mouth and keep them, love people, and be close to the people who has the same outstanding personalities. All of those behaviors comes to the priority of self-growing. When students still has extra time, they can take classes and get more educated and knowledge.
What we can see from this chapter, the Confucius believes that, having a good personality is more important than being well educated.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter5
子曰："道千乘之国，敬事而信，节用而爱人，使民以时。"
The Confucius said, the stronger the country is, the governors will pay more attention to those principles below: Be very careful and detail oriented when performing their jobs, so people will be faithful to this government; Never waste resources and love people; Be considerable when requires people to do public services.
The Confucius said, the stronger the country is, the governors will pay more attention to those principles below: Be very careful and detail oriented when performing their jobs, so people will be faithful to this government; Never waste resources and love people; Be considerable when requires people to do public services.
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter 4
曾子曰：“吾日三省吾身，为人谋而不忠乎？与朋友交而不信乎？传而不习乎？”
So Zeng Zi(I believe he was one of the students of Confucius) said, everyday I would look back my behaviors more than once, in several aspects, which were, whether I was loyal to the master I had been serving; Whether I was faithful to my friends; Whether I had reviewed whatever I learned today?
So Zeng Zi(I believe he was one of the students of Confucius) said, everyday I would look back my behaviors more than once, in several aspects, which were, whether I was loyal to the master I had been serving; Whether I was faithful to my friends; Whether I had reviewed whatever I learned today?
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter3
Chapter3
子曰：“巧言令色，鲜矣仁！”
The Confucius told us, that, to pretend to be nice using fabulous but empty words, or using kind but fake face, is not the behavior we appreciate.
In Chapter 2, the Confucius talked about what personality is good. In this chapter, he was talking about the opposite aspect of being good.
子曰：“巧言令色，鲜矣仁！”
The Confucius told us, that, to pretend to be nice using fabulous but empty words, or using kind but fake face, is not the behavior we appreciate.
In Chapter 2, the Confucius talked about what personality is good. In this chapter, he was talking about the opposite aspect of being good.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter2
Chapter2
有子曰：“其为人也孝弟，而好犯上者，鲜矣；不好犯上，而好作乱者，未之有也。君子务本，本立而道生。孝弟也者，其为仁之本与！”
So in this chapter, confucius is telling us the importance of treating parents. As a little background, back to that time, governor wanted the society to be sturdy and stable, whoever kept the rule, obey the rule, was a good people/citizen. So what makes people a good people. Confucius believes that the people who treating their parents nicely are good people. And below are the reasons:
Few people who treats his parents nicely, will offend the governor. Few people not offending the governors, will break the stability of the society. Treating parents nicely is the core nature of being a good people.
有子曰：“其为人也孝弟，而好犯上者，鲜矣；不好犯上，而好作乱者，未之有也。君子务本，本立而道生。孝弟也者，其为仁之本与！”
So in this chapter, confucius is telling us the importance of treating parents. As a little background, back to that time, governor wanted the society to be sturdy and stable, whoever kept the rule, obey the rule, was a good people/citizen. So what makes people a good people. Confucius believes that the people who treating their parents nicely are good people. And below are the reasons:
Few people who treats his parents nicely, will offend the governor. Few people not offending the governors, will break the stability of the society. Treating parents nicely is the core nature of being a good people.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Book I: Studying 学而第一 Chapter1
Chapter 1:
子曰："学而时习之，不亦说乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？人不知 而不愠，不亦君子乎？"
The Confucius said, no matter what we learned in our past life, to review it time by time, it will always be a pleasure.
It is always a happiness to have friend come to visit us.
The anger or madness usually comes from non-understanding or mis-understanding, when we know what is the cause, we won't be angry because it is unnecessary.
子曰："学而时习之，不亦说乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？人不知 而不愠，不亦君子乎？"
The Confucius said, no matter what we learned in our past life, to review it time by time, it will always be a pleasure.
It is always a happiness to have friend come to visit us.
The anger or madness usually comes from non-understanding or mis-understanding, when we know what is the cause, we won't be angry because it is unnecessary.
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