Verse 21-Analects of Confucius Chapter 11

From World's Chinese Wiki

Verse 21 of Analects of Confucius Chapter 11

English: Zi Lu asked:"Should one put into practice what one has heard?" Confucius replied:"Your father and siblings are still alive, it is best you consider first before comitting what you heard into practice."

Ran You asked:"Should one put into practice what one has heard?" Confucius replied:"Yes, you should."

Gong Xi Hua was puzzled and asked:"Teacher, both asked the same question but why are the answers different?" Confucius replied:"Ran Qiu is meek in nature, thus I encourage him to move forward; Zhong You is almost fearless, thus I restrained him."

Modern: 子路问：“有所闻既当有所行吗？” 孔子答：“你父兄健在，责任未了，宜当慎重。纵有所闻，自当有所秉命，何必立即而行？”

冉有问：“有所闻既当有所行吗？” 孔子答：“是的，有所闻既当有所行。”

公西华说：“两位都问同样的问题，为何老师的答案却不同呢？” 孔子说：“冉求禀性柔弱退让，所以激励他进取；仲由莽勇所以抑制警戒他。”

Original: 子路问：“闻斯行诸？”子曰：“有父兄在，如之何其闻斯行之？”冉有问：“闻斯行诸？”子曰：“闻斯行之。公西华曰：“由也问：‘闻斯行诸’，子曰：‘有父兄在’；求也问闻斯行诸，子曰：‘闻斯行之’。赤也惑，敢问。”子曰：“求也退，故进之；由也兼人，故退之。”

Explanation:

Application: