The analects of Confucius
Lúnyǔ / 論語
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子曰：
里仁為美。
擇不處仁，
焉得知？
Said Confucius:
Humanity is what makes or breaks a village.
If someone chooses a place to live, but does not choose such a neighborhood, how can you call that person wise?
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子曰
不仁者不可以久處約，
不可以長處樂。
仁者安仁，
知者利仁。
Said Confucius also:
Without humanity, a man cannot long endure constant adversity or endure constant happiness.
If you are humane, you will find peace and tranquility in being.
This is what the wise strive for.
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子曰
唯仁者能好人，
能惡人。
Said Confucius the more:
Only one who understands humanity can sincerely love someone and sincerely despise someone.
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子曰
苟志於仁矣，
無惡也。
Said Confucius:
If one wants to apply himself to virtue,
Evil will no longer come out.
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子曰
富與貴是人之所欲也，
不以其道得之，
不處也；
貧與賤是人之所惡也，
不以其道得之，
不去也。
君子去仁，
惡乎成名？
君子無終食之間違仁，
造次必於是，
顛沛必於是。
Said Confucius:
People always want wealth and admiration.
But if one can't achieve all that in the usual way,
Leave it alone and don't force it.
Poverty and being forgotten is what people always try to avoid.
But when it's inevitable unless you deny yourself,
Just let it come.
For if one leaves virtue behind in order to achieve reputation,
How can that person be worthy of admiration?
People who value humanity never miss a beat.
They do nothing against humanity,
Even in times of confusion and despair.
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子曰
我未見好仁者，
惡不仁者。
好仁者，
無以尚之；
惡不仁者，
其為仁矣，
不使不仁者加乎其身。
有能一日用其力於仁矣乎？
我未見力不足者。
蓋有之矣，
我未之見也。
Said Confucius:
I have never come across anyone who loves humanity wholly and completely or someone who has a total aversion to inhumanity.
Those who love humanity see it as essential.
And those who abhor inhumanity are so humane that it can't truly touch them.
Can people put all their strength into this even for one day?
Because I've have yet to see anyone with strength such as that.
Maybe there are people who can,
But I myself haven't met them.
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子曰
人之過也，
各於其黨。
觀過，
斯知仁矣。
Said Confucius also:
Most mistakes people make are symptoms of where they come from.
Recognizing this in your own mistakes is a step towards humanity.
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子曰
朝聞道，
夕死可矣。
Said Confucius:
A person who has only just learned of the right path in the morning,
They may die that very night without regret.
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子曰
士志於道，
而恥惡衣惡食者，
未足與議也。
Said Confucius:
A student who focuses his thoughts on the truth, but at the same time is still ashamed of the state of his wardrobe or groceries is not worth arguing with.
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子曰
君子之於天下也，
無適也，
無莫也，
義之與比。
Said Confucius:
There is no need to be outspoken against anything or outspoken for anything;
As long as it is human, the virtuous will follow.
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子曰
君子懷德，
小人懷土；
君子懷刑，
小人懷惠。
Said Confucius:
The virtuous man thinks of humanity.
The narrow-minded person only thinks of comfort.
The virtuous man keeps principles in mind.
The petty person keeps in mind how many favors he can ask.
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子曰
放於利而行，
多怨。
Said Confucius also:
The person who is constantly figuring out how to turn things in their favor will have to put up with a lot of whispers.
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子曰
能以禮讓為國乎？
何有？
不能以禮讓為國，
如禮何？
Said Confucius:
One who thinks of decency in their decision making,
Why would they need to worry about indecency?
One who makes decisions without decency,
How can they expect decent results?
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子曰
不患無位，
患所以立；
不患莫己知，
求為可知也。
Said Confucius:
It is better to say:
"I don't care that I don't have a job,
I care about being prepared for one.
I don't care that I'm not famous,
I care about if I ever get famous,
It’s for something worthwhile.”
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子曰
參乎！
吾道一以貫之。
曾子曰
唯。
子出。
門人問曰
何謂也？
曾子曰
夫子之道，
忠恕而已矣。
Said Confucius one day:
My teaching is that of an all-embracing unity.
One of his disciples then said:
Yes indeed.
But after Confucius finished his lesson of the day, the other students clung to the one who had agreed and said.
What did Confucius actually mean by that?
That student said:
Our master's teaching is to be true to ourselves and the rules of our own nature, And then to apply them for the benefit of others.
There's nothing more to it!
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子曰
君子喻於義，
小人喻於利。
Said Confucius:
The mind of the virtuous man constantly revolves around what is righteous.
The thoughts of a narrow-minded person are constantly milling about advantages and profits.
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子曰
見賢思齊焉，
見不賢而內自省也。
Said Confucius:
The things we greatly admire in others, we should also look for in ourselves and try to make equal.
When we see someone we don't admire, we too need to look at ourselves and study those things in ourselves.
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子曰
事父母幾諫。
見志不從，
又敬不違，
勞而不怨。
Said Confucius:
You certainly may disagree with your parents on certain things, but if you do, be gentle.
If you see that they do not want to follow your advice, in such moments show even greater respect than before, though without letting go of your position.
If they intend to punish you,
Take it without mumbling.
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子曰
父母在，
不遠遊。
遊必有方。
What Confucius Said:
While your parents are still alive,
Don't go too far from them.
If it does happen, at least try to have a permanent place there to return to.
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子曰
三年無改於父之道，
可謂孝矣。
Said Confucius:
If you respect the habits of your parents for three years after their passing,
You can speak of genuine deep respect.
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子曰
父母之年，
不可不知也。
一則以喜，
一則以懼。
What Confucius also said:
Never forget how old your parents are.
Fantastic and terrifying at the same time.
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子曰
古者言之不出，
恥躬之不逮也。
Said Confucius:
The reason the ancient sages hardly spoke is because they feared that they could not live up to their words.
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子曰
以約失之者，
鮮矣。
Said Confucius:
Those who are careful do not make mistakes so easily.
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子曰
君子欲訥於言，
而敏於行。
Said Confucius:
A good person would rather be slower in speech and more upright in demeanor.
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子曰
德不孤，
必有鄰。
Said Confucius also:
Virtue is not something that will leave you alone.
Apply it in daily life and it will invite its friends.
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子游曰
事君數，
斯辱矣，
朋友數，
斯疏矣。
One student said:
If you keep contradicting yourself,
You will lose credibility.
If you keep correcting your friends,
A rift will grow between you.
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