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

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7 years ago
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"When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them."

Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! It is still the weekend for me because I'm prewriting this on Sunday. In this article, I will be finishing off my commentaries on Book 7: Shu R.

Here is the second 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

XIX
Confucius's knowledge not connate, but the result of his study of antiquity
The Master said, "I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there."

This passage really speaks to me because it speaks about how you are not born with talent, but acquire it after hard work and passion. I have always said "Talent is a product of hardwork, efficiency, and passion."

XX
Subjects avoided by Confucius in his conversation
The subjects on which the Master did not talk, were-extraordinary things, feats of strength, disorder, and spiritual beings.

I think this means don't gloat about strength, or blame your problems on the mistakes of others and some higher power (I.E. God).

XXI
How a man may find instructors for himself
The Master said, "When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them."

Everyone has good qualities that you can learn from. At the same time, everyone has bad qualities that you should avoid. For example, I am decent at writing music once I have an idea, but I am horrible at actually working to get that idea. Last year I thought of theme for Annabel Lee in December of 2016, and didn't finish writing it until March 21st (the day before the performance). As Picasso said, "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working."

XXII
Confucius calm in danger, through the assurance of having a divine mission
The Master said, "Heaven produced the virtue that is in me. Hwan T'ui-what can he do to me?"

God gives us our gifts for a reason, therefore we cannot be stopped by others because our purpose is higher than any temporal power.

XXIII
Confucius practiced no concealment with his disciples
The Master said, "Do you think, my disciples, that I have any concealments? I conceal nothing from you. There nothing which I do that is not shown to you, my disciples-that is my way."

Confucius chose not to hide anything from his disciples. I find that the message to be, don't hide anything from those you truly trust. If your trust is real, you should feel as if you have nothing to hide.

XXIV
The subjects of Confucius's teaching
There were four things which the Master taught-letters, ethics, devotion of soul, and truthfulness.

Confucius focused on teaching formalities, moral values, being loyal to your own beliefs, and always being honest no matter the circumstance.

XXV
The paucity of true men in, and the pretentiousness of, Confucius's time

  1. The Master said, "A sage it is not mine to see; could I see a man of real talent and virtue, that would satisfy me."
  2. The Master said, "A good man it is not mine to see; could I see a man possessed of constancy, that would satisfy me."
  3. "Having not and yet affecting to have, empty and yet affecting to be full, straightened and yet affecting to be at ease: it is difficult with such characteristics to have constancy."

Do not look for perfection in a person, look for a consistency in actions that demonstrate skill and moral standards. Do not look for someone who is good all of the time, look for someone who is consistently dependable. These things are difficult but achievable.

XXVI
The humanity of Confucius
The Master angled-but did not use a net. He shot-but not at birds perching.

I think this is saying that Confucius didn't take advantage of unfair advantages. He followed his own moral standards, even when fishing and hunting.

XXVII
Against acting heedlessly
The Master said, "There may be those who act without knowing why. I do not do so. Hearing much and selecting what is good and following it; seeing much and keeping it in memory: this is the second style of knowledge."

This passage makes me think of Street Smarts. He is saying that to see something and act based on what you see is a second form of knowledge. This is basically similar to being smart as to how the street works and acting accordingly.

XXVIII
The readiness of Confucius to meet approaches to him though made by the unlikely

  1. It was difficult to talk (profitably and reputable) with the people of Hu-hsiang, and a lad of that place having had an interview with the Master, the disciples doubted.
  2. The Master said, "I admit people's approach to me without committing myself as to what they may do when they have retired. Why must one be so severe? If a man purify himself to wait upon me, I receive him so purified, without guaranteeing his past conduct."

This is Confucius again stating his opposition to guilt by association. He is saying that if he teaches someone something, it does not matter if they misuse it. He is not guilty for teaching it to them, they are guilty for misusing it.

XXIX
Virtue is not far to seek
The Master said, "Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! virtue is at hand."

You don't need to work really hard to be virtuous. All you need to do is have the desire and discipline to live by your own moral standards.

XXX
How Confucius acknowledged his error

  1. The minister of Ch'an asked whether the duke of Chao knew propriety, and Confucius said, "He knew propriety."
  2. Confucius having retired, the minister bowed to Wu-ma Ch'i to come forward, and said, "I have heard that the superior man is not partisan. May the superior man be partisan also? The prince married a daughter of the house of Wu, of the same surname with himself, and called her-'the elder Tsze of Wu. If the prince knew propriety, who does not know it?"
  3. Wu-ma Ch'i reported these remarks, and the Master said, "I am fortunate! If I have any errors, people are sure to know them."

Here, Confucius is saying that if he makes mistakes, his fame and vast visibility make it easy for someone to disagree. One example of this would be finding bugs in open-source software vs closed-source software.

XXXI
The good fellowship of Confucius
When the Master was in company with a person who was singing, if he sang well, he would make him repeat the song, while he accompanied it with his own voice.

Confucius is a great guy. If he likes someone's singing, Confucius joins in and sings with the guy. I guess the message behind this is reward good work.

XXXII
Acknowledgment of Confucius in estimating himself
The Master said, "In letters I am perhaps equal to other men, but the character of the superior man, carrying out in his conduct what he professes, is what I have not yet attained to."

Formally, Confucius may have achieved the accomplishments of his ancestors, but he still feels there is room for improvement in his life.

XXXIII
What Confucius declined to be considered, and what he claimed
The Master said, "The sage and the man of perfect virtue-how dare I rank myself with them? It may simply be said of me, that I strive to become such without satiety, and teach others without weariness." Kung-hsi Hwa said, "this is just what we, the disciples, cannot imitate you in."

Instead of ranking yourself as perfect, recognize that there is always room to grow. You should never be satisfied with yourself, and always look to improve and follow your own moral standards to perfection, and draw joy from teaching others. Though you will not achieve it, trying makes you better as a person and draws you closer to this goal of perfection.

XXXIV
The Master being very sick, Tsze-lu asked leave to pray for him. He said, "May such a thing be done?" Tsze-lu replied, "It may. In the Eulogies it is said, 'Prayer has been made for thee to the spirits of the upper and lower worlds.'" The Master said, "My praying has been for a long time."

Here, Tsze Lu asks if it would be okay if he goes to pray for Confucius (who is sick). Confucius says it is okay and that he has been praying for a long time.

XXXV
Meanness not so bad as insubordination
The Master said, "Extravagance leads to insubordination, and parsimony to meanness. It is better to be mean than to be insubordinate."

Spending too much money leads to an inability to listen to one's superiors. Refusing to spend money makes you seem mean. It is better to be thought of as mean than to be thought of as incompetent.

XXXVI
The Master said, "The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress."

The superior man understands what he must do, and is satisfied with what he has achieved. The mean man is disorganized and never satisfied with what he has achieved.

XXXVII
How various elements modified one another in the character of Confucius
The Master was mild, and yet dignified; majestic, and yet not fierce; respectful, and yet easy.

It is possible to be nice to others, and distinguished; different, but not rude; and respectful to others, but still laid back. A modern example would be Gandhi, who was all of these things.

Previous Posts

Confucian Analects

Art of War Review

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