The Analects

Author: Confucius (Spring and Autumn Period) / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-08-01
Features:
【Original Text】"The Master said: 'To learn and frequently practice it, is not a joy? To have friends come from afar, is not a joy? Not to be resentful when others do not understand you, is not a gentleman?'
【Translation】"The Master said: 'To persevere in learning and comprehend the difficulties that trouble you, what joy can be greater than this? To have friends who share your aspirations visit you from afar, what joy can be greater than this? To be misunderstood by others yet not feel resentful, is not this the mark of a gentleman?'
【Commentaries from Past Generations】
Zhu Xi said: 'Human nature is inherently good, but people awaken at different times. Those who awaken later must emulate those who awakened first, so that they may understand goodness and return to their original state.' He also said: 'To delight in others' presence is easy and natural, while to remain undisturbed by misunderstanding is difficult and arduous. Thus, only those of noble character can achieve this. Yet the cultivation of virtue also depends on learning correctly, practicing diligently, and delving deeply without ceasing.'
Cheng Yi said: 'Practice means repeated practice. To repeatedly reflect on it until it is thoroughly internalized, then joy arises.' He also said: 'To learn is to put it into action. To practice it frequently, then what you learn becomes yours, and thus joy arises.' He also said: 'To spread goodness to others and gain widespread trust is joyful.' He also said: 'Joy resides in the heart. The joy of others is expressed outwardly.' He also said: 'Even when joyful in spreading goodness, not to be troubled when not recognized is the mark of a gentleman. Joy arises from understanding, and without joy, one cannot speak of being a gentleman.'
Xie Shi said: 'To practice at all times is to practice without pause.' Yin Shi said: 'Learning is within oneself, while knowing or not knowing depends on others. Why should one be resentful?'
【Notes】
The essence of learning lies in nurturing virtue. A person's life can be roughly divided into three stages:
- Youth: Simple and sincere, finding joy in learning, focusing on "learning" and "practice."
- Middle Age: Facing great responsibilities, seeking companions in virtue, and delighting in their "coming."
- Old Age: Weathered by time, calm and balanced, unshaken by fame or disgrace, joy and resentment do not show on one's face.
It is clear that learning is necessary, and so is the cultivation of virtue. Without learning, one cannot broaden their talent, nor can one nurture virtue. Through the tempering of time, one receives many precious gifts from it—all it depends on one's ability to learn.
"Learning and frequently practicing it" is like this: It is a never-ending process. Learning has no limit, and no one can go a day without learning or without confusion. When confusion arises, one must seek answers. Solving doubts and resolving confusion lies in learning.
Applying one's knowledge to solve problems and achieve the desired results, and advancing in one's journey, brings an involuntary sense of joy—this is where the joy of learning lies.
When one pursues learning, there are both like-minded companions and diverse interests. When friends come from afar, admiring their reputation and respecting their virtue, joy naturally shows on one's face.
A gentleman lies in their breadth of mind and demeanor. A virtuous person is not diminished by whether others know or understand them. The reason for "not being known" also reflects that their virtue has not yet reached a certain level, requiring further cultivation. Naturally, they cannot take their anger out on others.
Reflecting on oneself and seeking within leads to an even more humble image of a gentleman. Not letting others' likes or dislikes affect one's emotions, nor taking one's joys or sorrows out on others; not getting angry or troubled when misunderstood, nor harboring resentment or grievances when others misinterpret them—always treating others with a generous and benevolent heart and an open and inclusive attitude.
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