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The Master said,âIs it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application?
âIs it notdelightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?
âIs he not a manof complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note ofhim?â
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The philosopherYu said, âThey are few who, being filial and fraternal, are fond of offendingagainst their superiors. There have been none, who, not liking to offendagainst their superiors, have been fond of stirring up confusion.
âThe superior manbends his attention to what is radical. That being established, all practicalcourses naturally grow up. Filial piety and fraternal submission, - are theynot the root of all benevolent actions?â
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The Master said,âFine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with truevirtue.â
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The philosopherTsang said, âI daily examine myself on three points: - whether, in transactingbusiness for others, I may have been not faithful; - whether, in intercoursewith friends, I may have been not sincere; -whether I may have not mastered andpracticed the instructions of my teacher.â
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The Master said,âTo rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention tobusiness, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men; and theemployment of the people at the proper seasons.â
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The Master said,âA youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to hiselders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all,and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity,after the performance of these things, he should employ them in politestudies.â
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Tsze-hsia said,âIf a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it assincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exerthis utmost strength; if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if, inhis intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere: - although men saythat he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.â
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The Master said,âIf the scholar be not grave, he will not call forth any veneration, and hislearning will not be solid.
âHoldfaithfulness and sincerity as first principles.
âHave no friendsnot equal to yourself.
âWhen you havefaults, do not fear to abandon them.â
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The philosopherTsang said, âLet there be a careful attention to perform the funeral rites toparents, and let them be followed when long gone with the ceremonies of sacrifice;-then the virtue of the people will resume its proper excellence.â
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Tsze-châin askedTsze-kung saying, âWhen our master comes to any country, he does not fail tolearn all about its government. Does he ask his information? or is it given tohim?â
Tsze-kung said,âOur master is benign, upright, courteous, temperate, and complaisant and thushe gets his information. The masterâs mode of asking information, -is it notdifferent from that of other men?â
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The Master said,âWhile a manâs father is alive, look at the bent of his will; when his fatheris dead, look at his conduct. If for three years he does not alter from the wayof his father, he may be called filial.â
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The philosopherYu said, âIn practicing the rules of propriety, a natural ease is to be prized.In the ways prescribed by the ancient kings, this is the excellent quality, andin things small and great we follow them.
âYet it is not tobe observed in all cases. If one, knowing how such ease should be prized,manifests it, without regulating it by the rules of propriety, this likewise isnot to be done.â
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The philosopherYu said, âWhen agreements are made according to what is right, what is spokencan be made good. When respect is shown according to what is proper, one keepsfar from shame and disgrace. When the parties upon whom a man leans are properpersons to be intimate with, he can make them his guides and masters.â
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The Master said,âHe who aims to be a man of complete virtue in his food does not seek togratify his appetite, nor in his dwelling place does he seek the appliances ofease; he is earnest in what he is doing, and careful in his speech; hefrequents the company of men of principle that he may be rectified: -such aperson may be said indeed to love to learn.â
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Tsze-kung said,âWhat do you pronounce concerning the poor man who yet does not flatter, andthe rich man who is not proud?â The Master replied, âThey will do; but they arenot equal to him, who, though poor, is yet cheerful, and to him, who, thoughrich, loves the rules of propriety.â
Tsze-kungreplied, âIt is said in the Book of Poetry, âAs you cut and then file, as youcarve and then polish.â-The meaning is the same, I apprehend, as that which youhave just expressed.â
The Master said,âWith one like Tsâze, I can begin to talk about the odes. I told him one point,and he knew its proper sequence.â
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The Master said,âI will not be afflicted at menâs not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I donot know men.â
The Foundation of Confucian Thought: Learning and Self-Cultivation
Chapter 1, known as Xue Er (学而) or "On Learning," serves as the gateway to the entire Analects and indeed to the Confucian philosophical tradition. Opening with the celebrated line "Is it not a pleasure to learn and practice what one has learned?" (学而时习之,不亦说乎), this chapter establishes education and self-cultivation as the cornerstone of the good life. Confucius presents learning not as a means to material advancement but as an intrinsically rewarding pursuit that transforms one's character and deepens one's understanding of the world.
The chapter weaves together themes of filial piety (孝, xiao), trustworthiness (信, xin), and the joy of intellectual companionship. Through concise aphorisms, Confucius and his disciples articulate a vision of moral development grounded in daily practice and reflective study. The emphasis on learning by doing—reviewing and applying knowledge—distinguishes Confucian education from mere rote memorization.
This opening chapter sets the tone for the entire Analects: a text devoted to the proposition that human beings are perfectible through sustained effort, guided by tradition and enriched by community. For modern readers, it offers a compelling case for lifelong learning as the path to personal fulfillment and social harmony.
- Xue (学) - Learning: The act of study and practice is presented as a joyful, lifelong endeavor. Confucius insists that true learning combines acquiring knowledge with applying it in daily life.
- Xiao (孝) - Filial Piety: Respect for parents and ancestors is identified as the root of all virtuous behavior, forming the foundation upon which broader moral sensibilities are built.
- Junzi (君子) - The Exemplary Person: The chapter introduces the ideal of the junzi—a person of cultivated moral character—who prioritizes ethical conduct over material gain.
- You Peng (有朋) - Companionship in Study: The delight of like-minded friends arriving from distant quarters illustrates the communal dimension of Confucian self-cultivation.
The main theme of Analects Chapter 1 (Xue Er) is the joy and importance of learning and self-cultivation. Confucius teaches that education is not merely about acquiring information but about transforming one's character through continuous study, practice, and reflection. The chapter also emphasizes filial piety, trustworthiness, and the pleasure of learning alongside friends.
The Analects opens with learning because Confucius believed self-cultivation through education is the foundation of all moral and social progress. By placing learning first, the text signals that personal transformation—achieved through study and practice—is the prerequisite for good governance, harmonious relationships, and a meaningful life.
This famous opening line of the Analects means that true satisfaction comes from the ongoing cycle of acquiring knowledge and putting it into practice. Confucius viewed learning as an active, embodied process—not passive absorption—and taught that the joy of self-improvement is one of life's highest pleasures.