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Commentary on the Confucian Analects, Book 7: "Shu R" Part 1/2

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7 years ago
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"I do not open up the truth to one who is not eager to get knowledge, nor help out any one who is not anxious to explain himself. When I have presented one corner of a subject to any one, and he cannot from it learn the other three, I do not repeat my lesson."

Hello everyone! This is the next post in my series of commentaries on the Confucian analects. I just realized that I have been spelling commentary wrong in my titles, and have fixed all the articles I can edit. I am very sorry about that. In this post I will be commentating the first half of book 7(/20), Shu R.

Here is the first half of my commentaries on Book 7: Shu R:

[Image Source: pixabay.com, License: CCO Public Domain]

Original text from the Public Domain Confucian Analects (from the 2013 edition of "The Art of War and Other Classics of Eastern Thought")

@cmp2020 original commentary

Shu R

I
Confucius disclaims being an originator or maker
The Master said, "A transmitter and not a maker, believing in an loving the ancients, I venture to compare myself with our old P'ang."

Confucius is stating that he is not making the principles he teaches, but rather popularizing them. This is similar to Scott Joplin who did not invent the concept of ragtime, but popularized it. Another example could be Steemit popularizing blockchain technology to non-technogeeks who otherwise wouldn't have known about it.

II
Confucius's humble estimate of himself
The Master said, "The silent treasuring up of knowledge; learning without satiety; and instructing others without being wearied: which one of these things belongs to me?"

Here, Confucius is asking for feedback in order to improve himself.

III
Confucius's anxiety about his self-cultivation: another humble estimate of himself
The Master said, "The leaving virtue without proper cultivation; the not thoroughly discussing what is learned; not being able to move towards righteousness of which a knowledge is gained; and not being able to change what is not good: these are the things which occasion me solicitude."

This section is a list of 4 characteristics that make Confucius worry about a person. These characteristics are, not following your moral values without good reason, not conversing about what you learn, not striving for righteousness, and not being able to fix your mistakes.

IV
The manner of Confucius when unoccupied
When the Master was unoccupied with business, his manner was easy, and he looked pleased.

The point of this passage is not even Confucius was serious all of the time. There is a time and a place for relaxing, and there is a time and a place for strict seriousness.

V
How the disappointment of Confucius's hopes affected even his dreams
The Master said, "Extreme is my decay. For a long time, I have not dreamed, as I was wont to do, that I saw the duke of Chau."

Do not dream about what didn't happen, and what can't happen. I think this is saying to move on from dreams that didn't come true.

VI
Rules for the fule maturing of character

  1. The Master said, "Let the will be set on the path of duty."
  2. "Let every attainment in what is good be firmly grasped."
  3. "Let perfect virtue be accorded with."
  4. "Let relaxation and enjoyment be found in the polite arts."

You should make decisions based on what your responsibilities are. You should aim to achieve what supports your moral values. You should live by the strictest moral standards. Lastly, you should enjoy using proper manners, and be at ease when you do that.

VII
The readiness of Confucius to impart instruction
The Master said, "From the man bringing his bundle of dried flesh for my teaching upwards, I have never refused instruction to anyone."

Confucius teaches everybody who is willing to learn.

VIII
Confucius required a real desire and ability in his disciples
The Master said, "I do not open up the truth to one who is not eager to get knowledge, nor help out any one who is not anxious to explain himself. When I have presented one corner of a subject to any one, and he cannot from it learn the other three, I do not repeat my lesson."

This is similar to the last passage. Confucius does not teach those who do not want to learn. Nor does he help anyone who doesn't know what they are doing, and aren't eager to tell him what they are doing. He does not reteach a lesson when someone cannot expand upon what they have learned already.

IX
Confucius's sympathy with mourners

  1. When the Master was eating by the side of a mourner, he never ate to the full.
  2. He did not sing on the same day in which he had been weeping.

This is another passage which discourages hypocrisy because he does not sing on the same day that he wept. The point of this passage is (1) be respectful to those who are suffering from something, even if you are not, and (2) do not move on from something quickly.

X
The attainments of Hui like those of Confucius-the excessive bold of Tsze-lü

  1. The Master said to Yen Yüan, "When called to office, to undertake its duties; when not so called, to lie retired-it is only I and you who have attained to this."
  2. Tsze-lu said, "If you had the conduct of the armies of a great State, whom would you have to act with you?"
  3. The Master said, "I would not have him act with me, who will unarmed attack a tiger, or cross a river without a boat, dying without any regret. My associate must be the man who proceeds to action full of solicitude, who is fond of adjusting his plans, and then carries them into execution."

I love this passage (mainly number 3). Confucius is saying that you should not work with people who will blindly follow a plan (or instinct) without thinking through the factors. A modern example would be, as a police officer, your partner should not be willing to run in to danger, or shoot someone unless they have considered all risk factors.

XI
The uncertainty and folly of the pursuit of riches
The Master said, "If the search for riches is sure to be successful, though I should become a groom with whip in hand to get them, I will do so. As the search may not be successful, I will follow after that which I love."

If Confucius can’t find a woman who is rich, he will find one who loves him.

XII
What things Confucius was particularly careful about
The things in reference to which the Master exercised the greatest caution were-fasting, war, and sickness.

You should be most cautious when making decisions using religious views, politics, or sickness.

XIII
The effect of music on Confucius
When the Master was in Ch'i, he heard the Shao, and for three months did not know the taste of flesh. "I did not think," he said, "that music could have been made so excellent at this."

I think that Confucius is saying that the music is soothing him even though he is hungry.

XIV
Confucius did not approve of a son opposing his father

  1. Yen Yu said, "Is our Master for the ruler of Wei?" Tsze-kung said, "Oh, I will ask him."
  2. He went in accordingly, and said, "What sort of men were Po-i and Shu-ch'i?" "They were ancient worthies," said the Master. "Did they have any repinings because of their course?" The Master again replied, "They sought to act virtuously, and they did so; what was there for them to repine about?" On this, Tsze-kung went out and said, "Our Master is not for him."

In order to please your ancestors, you should act based on your core moral values. If you do this, you have nothing to worry about, and you will not regret your decisions.

XV
The joy of Confucius independent of outward circumstances
The Master said, "With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow-I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by uprightness are to me as a floating cloud."

Material circumstance does not matter as long as you are happy with the choices you have made and follow your own moral standards.

XVI
The value which Confucius set upon the study of the Yi
The Master said, "If some years were added to my life, I would give fifty to the study of the Yi, and then I might come to be without great faults."

I believe that Yi was a philosopher who came before Confucius. Cconfucius is saying that he would study Yi, and then would not make mistakes as a result.

XVII
Confucius's most common topics
The Master's frequent themes of discourse were-the Odes, the History, and the maintenance of the Rules of Propriety. On all these he frequently discoursed.

Confucius cared most about learning the Odes, studying the History of one's ancestors, and always having the best of manners. As a result of this, he often talked of these things.

XVIII
Confucius's description of his character as being simply a cheerful, earnest learner

  1. The Duke of Sheh asked Tsze-lu about Confucius, and Tsze-lu did not answer him.
  2. The Master said, "Why did you not say to him-he is simply a man, who in his eager pursuit (of knowledge) forgets his food, who in the joy of its attainment forgets his sorrows, and who does not perceive that old age is coming on?"

Confucius cares more about learning than eating, forgets his sadness by working to achieve his goals, and does not care that he is getting older.

Previous Posts

Confucian Analects

Art of War Review

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7 years ago
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