The Analects论语

Book 14, Passage 14.12

Tsze-lu asked what constituted a COMPLETE man. The Master said, 'Suppose a man with the knowledge of Tsang Wu-chung, the freedom from covetousness of Kung-ch'o,…

子路问成人,子曰:“若臧武仲之知、公绰之不欲,卞庄子之勇、冉求之艺,”…
All 44 passages in Book 1412 of 44
2 sentences · 4 notes
子zǐ路lù问wèn成chéng人rén,子zǐ曰yuē:“若ruò臧zāng武wǔ仲zhòng之zhī知zhī、公gōng绰chuò之zhī不bù欲yù,卞biàn庄zhuāng子zǐ之zhī勇yǒng、冉rǎn求qiú之zhī艺yì,文wén之zhī以yǐ礼lǐ乐yuè,亦yì可kě以yǐ为wéi成chéng人rén矣yǐ。”曰yuē:“今jīn之zhī成chéng人rén者zhě何hé必bì然rán?见jiàn利lì思sī义yì,见jiàn危wēi授shòu命mìng,久jiǔ要yào不bù忘wàng平píng生shēng之zhī言yán、亦yì可kě以yǐ为wéi成chéng人rén矣yǐ。”

1Tsze-lu asked what constituted a COMPLETE man. The Master said, 'Suppose a man with the knowledge of Tsang Wu-chung, the freedom from covetousness of Kung-ch'o, the bravery of Chwang of Pien, and the varied talents of Zan Ch'iu; add to these the accomplishments of the rules of propriety and music:-- such a one might be reckoned a COMPLETE man.'

2He then added, 'But what is the necessity for a complete man of the present day to have all these things? The man, who in the view of gain, thinks of righteousness; who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life; and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends:-- such a man may be reckoned a COMPLETE man.'

Chinese commentary · 4 notes

The notes printed with this passage in Chinese editions, kept in Chinese, for readers who come to the text that way.

成人:全人,即完美无缺的人。

臧武仲:鲁国大夫臧孙纥。他在齐国时,能预见齐庄公将败,不受其田邑。见《左传·襄公二十三年》。

卞庄子:鲁国的大夫,封地在卞邑,以勇气著称。

久要:长久处于穷困之中。

All 44 passages in Book 14