Analects of Confucius Book 4: new English translation
Read this new English translation of the Analects of Confucius Book 4 to learn more about the teachings of China’s most famous philosopher. Its main themes include goodness, leadership, filial devotion, and the need for restraint.
Chapter 1
子曰：「里仁為美。擇不處仁，焉得知？」
Confucius said: “It’s beautiful to live in a neighborhood that’s filled with goodness. How can someone be wise if they choose to live in a place that lacks goodness?”
Chapter 2
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。」
Confucius said: “A person who lacks goodness cannot endure adversity or enjoy happiness for long. A person who possesses goodness finds contentment in it; a wise person profits from it.”
Chapter 3
子曰：「惟仁者，能好人，能惡人。」
Confucius said: “Only a person who possesses goodness can love people and can hate people.”
Chapter 4
子曰：「苟志於仁矣，無惡也。」
Confucius said: “Dedicating yourself to the pursuit of goodness leaves no room for evil.”
Chapter 5
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。」
Confucius said: “Riches and rank are what people desire; but if they can only obtain them through improper ways, they should not pursue them. Poverty and obscurity are what people detest; but if they can only escape from them through improper ways, they should accept them. If a leader abandons goodness, how can they live up to that name? A leader never abandons goodness, even for as long as it takes to eat a single meal; in moments of haste and confusion they still stay true to it.”
Chapter 6
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。」
Confucius said: “I’ve never seen anyone who truly loves goodness and truly detests evil. Anyone who truly loves goodness would place nothing above it; anyone who truly detests evil would practice goodness in such a way that they would allow no evil to enter them. Is there anyone with the ability to devote all their strength to goodness for a single day? I’ve never seen anyone whose strength is insufficient. There may be people who don’t have even the small amount of strength it takes, but I’ve never seen them.”
Chapter 7
子曰：「人之過也，各於其黨。觀過，斯知仁矣。」
Confucius said: “People’s flaws reveal the type of person they are. By observing someone’s flaws, you’ll understand the true extent of their goodness.”
Chapter 8
子曰：「朝聞道，夕死可矣！」
Confucius said: “Know the way at dawn; die without regret at dusk.”
Chapter 9
子曰：「士志於道，而恥惡衣惡食者，未足與議也！」
Confucius said: “A scholar who pursues the way but is ashamed of his threadbare clothes and coarse food is not worth talking to.”
Chapter 10
子曰：「君子之於天下也，無適也，無莫也，義之於比。」
Confucius said: “In dealing with the world, a leader has no prejudice or bias: they go with what is right.”
Chapter 11
子曰：「君子懷德，小人懷土；君子懷刑，小人懷惠。」
Confucius said: “A leader pursues virtue; a petty person pursues land. A leader pursues justice; a petty person pursues favors.”
Chapter 12
子曰：「放於利而行，多怨。」
Confucius said: “People who act out of self-interest cause great resentment.”
Chapter 13
子曰：「能以禮讓為國乎，何有！不能以禮讓為國，如禮何！」
Confucius said: “If a ruler is able to govern a state by observing ritual and showing deference, what more does he need to do? If a ruler fails to accomplish this, what use is ritual to him?”
Chapter 14
子曰：「不患無位，患所以立；不患莫己知，求為可知也。」
“Don’t be concerned that you haven’t secured an official position; be concerned that you have what it takes to secure one. Don’t be concerned that you aren’t recognized for your abilities; be concerned that you deserve to be recognized for your abilities.”
Chapter 15
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。」
Confucius said: “Shen, my way is woven into a single thread.” Zengzi replied: “Indeed.” After Confucius had left, the other followers asked: “What did he mean?” Zengzi said: “The way of the Master is based on loyalty and reciprocity; that and nothing more.”
Chapter 16
子曰：「君子喻於義，小人喻於利。」
Confucius said: “A leader is concerned about what is right; a small-minded man is concerned about what is in their own interest.”
Chapter 17
子曰：「見賢思齊焉，見不賢而內自省也。」
Confucius said: “When you meet people of exceptional character, think how you can become their equal. When you meet people of poor character, look inside and examine yourself.”
Chapter 18
子曰：「事父母幾諫，見志不從，又敬不違，勞而不怨。」
Confucius said: “When serving your parents, you may gently remonstrate with them. If you notice that they do not take your advice, remain respectful and do not contradict them. Don’t let your efforts turn to resentment.”
Chapter 19
子曰：「父母在，不遠遊，遊必有方。」
Confucius said: “When your parents are alive, do not travel far. If you do have to travel, be sure to have a specific destination.”
Chapter 20
子曰：「三年無改於父之道，可謂孝矣。」
Confucius said: “If after three years a man has not deviated from his father’s path, then he may be called a filial son.”
Chapter 21
子曰：「父母之年，不可不知也：一則以喜，一則以。」
Confucius said: “Always keep the age of your parents in mind. Let this knowledge be a source of both joy and dread.”
Chapter 22
子曰：「古者言之不出，恥躬之不逮也。」
Confucius said: “The ancients were reluctant to speak, fearing disgrace if their actions didn’t match their words.”
Chapter 23
子曰：「以約失之者，鮮矣。」
Confucius said: “You rarely go wrong when you exercise restraint.”
Chapter 24
子曰：「君子欲訥於言，而敏於行。」
Confucius said: “A leader should be slow to speak and prompt to act.”
Chapter 25
子曰：「德不孤，必有鄰。」
Confucius said: “Virtue never stands alone; it always has neighbors.”
Chapter 26
子游曰：「事君數，斯辱矣；朋友數，斯疏矣。」
Ziyou said: “In the service of a lord, overzealousness brings disgrace; in the company of friends, it brings estrangement.”
