Translation and analysis of Book 1 of the Analects of Confucius

1. Analects of Confucius
Book 1
論語
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2. Key Themes
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Book 1Trustworthiness Filial Devotion
Leadership
Learning

3. Supporting Cast
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• Youzi/有子
• Zengzi/曾子
• Zixia/子夏
• Ziqin/子禽
• Zigong/子貢
Disciples

4. Chapter 1
Confucius said: “Isn’t it a pleasure to study and constantly apply the
lessons that you’ve learned? Isn’t it a joy to have friends visit from afar?
Isn’t it the mark of a leader to remain unconcerned when others don’t
recognize your talents?”
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「子曰：「學而時習之，不亦說乎？
有朋自遠方來，不亦樂乎？
人不知而不慍，不亦君子乎？」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

5. Chapter 2
Youzi said: “A man who practices filial and fraternal devotion is unlikely
to question the authority of his superiors. Such a man will never
provoke disorder. A leader focuses on the root; once this takes hold the
way appears. Filial and fraternal devotion is the root of goodness.”
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「有子曰：「其為人也孝弟，而好犯上者，鮮矣；
不好犯上，而好作亂者，未之有也。君子務本，
本立而道生。孝弟也者，其為仁之本與！」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

6. Chapter 3
Confucius said: “Smooth talk and an affected manner are
seldom signs of goodness.”
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子曰：「巧言令色鮮矣仁。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

7. Chapter 4
Zengzi said: “I examine myself three times every day. Have I been true to
other people’s interests when acting on their behalf? Have I been
sincere in my interactions with friends? Have I practiced what I have
been taught?”
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曾子曰：「吾日三省吾身，為人謀而不忠乎？
與朋友交而不信乎？傳不習乎？」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

8. Chapter 5
Confucius said: “The way to rule a thousand-chariot state is to devote
yourself to its affairs and fulfill your commitments; be economical in
expenditure and love your people; and mobilize the common people for
labor at the right time of the year.”
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子曰：「道千乘之國，敬事而信，
節用而愛人，使民以時。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

9. Chapter 6
Confucius said: “A young man should be devoted to his parents at home
and respectful to his elders outside it. He should be cautious and
truthful, love everyone, but only develop close relationships with good
people. If he still has energy to spare after all this, he should study the
classics.”
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子曰：「弟子入則孝，出則弟，謹而信，汎愛眾，
而親仁。行有餘力，則以學文。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

10. Chapter 7
Zixia said: “A man who values character over beauty, who devotes
himself to serving his parents, who dedicates his life to his ruler, and
who is true to his word with his friends: I’ll insist he’s learned even if
others think otherwise.”
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子夏曰：「賢賢易色，事父母能竭其力，
事君能致其身，與朋友交言而有信，
雖曰未學，吾必謂之學矣。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

11. Chapter 8
Confucius said: “A leader who has no seriousness of purpose lacks
dignity and a solid foundation for learning. Hold loyalty and
trustworthiness as your highest principles; don’t make friends with
people who are not your equal. When you make a mistake, don’t be
afraid to correct yourself.”
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子曰：「君子不重，則不威，學則不固。
主忠信，無友不如己者，過則勿憚改。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

12. Chapter 9
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Zengzi said: “When the dead are shown proper reverence and
the memory of distant ancestors is kept alive,
the people’s virtue is at its highest.”
曾子曰：「慎終追遠，民德歸厚矣。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

13. Chapter 10
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Ziqin asked Zigong: “When the Master arrives in another state and
needs to find out about the affairs of its government, does he have to
ask for this information or do people give him it of their own accord?”
Zigong replied: “The Master obtains it by being warm, kind, courteous,
unassuming, and deferential. He has a very different way of seeking out
information than other people, hasn’t he?”
子禽問於子貢曰：「夫子至於是邦也，必聞其政，
求之與？抑與之與？子貢曰：「夫子溫良恭儉讓以
得之，夫子之求之也，其諸異乎人之求之與？」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

14. Chapter 11
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Confucius said: “When the father is alive, observe his son’s intentions.
When the father is dead, watch his son’s actions. If after three years he
has not deviated from his father’s path, then he may be called a filial
son.”
子曰：「父在觀其志，父沒觀其行，
三年無改於父之道，可謂孝矣。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

15. Chapter 12
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Youzi said: “When practicing ritual, harmony matters most. This is what
made the way of the ancient kings so admirable and inspired their every
action, no matter how great or small. But they also knew where to draw
the line: seeking harmony for its own sake without it being regulated by
ritual won’t work.”
有子曰：「禮之用，和為貴。先王之道，斯為美，
小大由之，有所不行，知和而和，
不以禮節之，亦不可行也。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

16. Chapter 13
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Youzi said: “If your commitments conform to what is right, you will be
able to keep your word. If your manners conform to ritual, you will be
able to avoid shame and disgrace. Only if you associate with reliable
people will you be successful.”
有子曰：「信近於義，言可復也。恭近於禮，
遠恥辱也。因不失其親，亦可宗也。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

17. Chapter 14
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Confucius said: “A leader eats without filling his stomach; chooses a
home without demanding comfort; is diligent in his work and cautious
in his speech; and keeps the company of others who possess the way to
make sure that he stays on the right path. This is what it means to truly
love learning.”
子曰：「君子食無求飽，居無求安，
敏於事而慎於言，就有道而正焉，可謂好學也已。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

18. Chapter 15 Part 1
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Zigong said: “’Poor but not subservient; wealthy but not arrogant.’ What
do you think of that?” The Master said: “Not bad, but this would be
better still: ‘Poor but content; wealthy but loves ritual.’”
子貢曰：「貧而無諂，富而無驕，何如？」
子曰：「可也，未若貧而樂，富而好禮者也。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

19. Chapter 15 Part 2
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Zigong said: “In the Book of Songs it is said: ‘Like carving and polishing
stones, like cutting and grinding gems.’ Is this not the same idea?”
Confucius said: “Wonderful, Zigong! At last I can discuss the Book of
Songs with you! Based on what I’ve already said, you can work out
what’s coming next!”
子貢曰：「詩云：『如切如磋，如琢如磨』，
其斯之謂與？」
子曰：「賜也，始可與言詩已矣，告諸往而知來者。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

20. Chapter 16
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Confucius said: “Don’t be concerned about other people failing to
acknowledge your merits; be concerned about failing to acknowledge
their merits.”
子曰：「不患人之不己之，患不知人也。」
Analects of Confucius Book 1

21. Appendix
Analects of Confucius Book 1
論語
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22. Analects of Confucius Book 1
Appearance Analysis
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Confucius
(子)
Youzi
(有子)
Zengzi
(曾子)
Zixia
(子夏)
Ziqin
(子禽)
Zigong
(子貢)
Chapter 1 Y
Chapter 2 Y
Chapter 3 Y
Chapter 4 Y
Chapter 5 Y
Chapter 6 Y
Chapter 7 Y
Chapter 8 Y
Chapter 9 Y
Chapter 10 Y Y Y
Chapter 11 Y
Chapter 12 Y
Chapter 13 Y Y
Chapter 14 Y
Chapter 15 Y Y
Chapter 16 Y
Appearances (no) 10 3 2 1 1 2
Appearances (%) 62.25% 18.75% 12.50% 6.25% 6.25% 12.50%

23. Analects of Confucius Book 1
Themes Analysis
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Leadership
(君子)
Learning
(學)
Governance
(政)
Chapter 1 Y Y
Chapter 2 Y
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6 Y
Chapter 7 Y*
Chapter 8 Y Y
Chapter 9
Chapter 10 1
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14 Y Y
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Appearances (no) 4 5 1
Appearances (%) 25.00% 31.25% 6.25%

24. Analects of Confucius Book 1
Primary Values Analysis
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Goodness
(仁)
Virtue
(德)
Ritual
(禮)
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 Y
Chapter 3 Y
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6 Y
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9 Y
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12 Y
Chapter 13 Y
Chapter 14
Chapter 15 Y
Chapter 16
Appearances (no) 3 1 3
Appearances (%) 18.75% 6.25% 18.75%

25. Analects of Confucius Book 1
Secondary Values Analysis
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Filial Devotion
(孝)
Loyalty
(忠)
Trustworthiness
(信)
Rightness
(義)
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 Y
Chapter 3
Chapter 4 Y
Chapter 5 Y
Chapter 6 Y Y
Chapter 7 Y
Chapter 8 Y Y
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11 Y
Chapter 12 Y
Chapter 13 Y Y
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Appearances (no) 3 2 6 1
Appearances (%) 18.75% 12.50% 37.50% 6.25%

26. Analects of Confucius Book 1
Minor Values Analysis
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Reciprocity
(怒)
Reverence
(恭)
Love
(愛)
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5 Y
Chapter 6 Y
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10 Y
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13 Y
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Appearances (no) 0 2 2
Appearances (%) 0% 12.50% 12.50%