Verse 28-Analects of Confucius Chapter 7

From World's Chinese Wiki

Verse 28 of Analects of Confucius Chapter 7

English: It was difficult to communicate with the people of Hu Xiang. So the disciples are perplexed when a boy from Hu Xiang was received. Confucius said:"I am for his progress, not his regression. Is there a need to go to such extent? A person who is willing to correct his mistakes, like a person who cleanses himself, in order to progress, we should give him the chance and not reject him."

Modern: 互乡的人很难与他们交流沟通。但是却有一个互乡的少年求见孔子，而孔子接待了他。弟子们感到困惑不解。孔子说：“我们赞赏他的进步，不赞成他的落后。何必做得太过份呢？如果人能够修正过去的错误，就像洗干净身上的污迹，我们就应该称赞他的进步，给予他进步的机会，而不要死记住他的错误，拒他于门外"

Original: 互乡难与言，童子见，门人惑。子曰：“与其进也，不与其退也，唯何甚？人洁己以进，与其洁也，不保其往也。”

Explanation:

Application: