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The Analects change history

At times, the influence of the Analects was such that they affected the fate of an entire nation. One of the main architects of the Meiji restoration, one of the most dramatic turning points in modern Japanese history, was deeply influenced by Analects. Watch Prof. Takahashi introduce the topic in this video.

Keywords (terms, period names, figure’s names) in the video

A scroll introduced in the video

Old Scroll ^{Katsu Kaishu’s copy of the Analects 『論語』勝海舟旧蔵
Click to take a close look}

Many Analects

In the video, Prof. Takashi introduces two famous passages from the Analects relating to politics and the economy. But there are more. Here are some additional examples:

Original Chinese Text and Japanese text

「子曰、其身正、不令而行、其身不正、雖令不從。」 「其の身正しければ、令せずとも行われ、其の身正しからざれば、令すと雖も従わず」子路篇6

English translation:

The Master said, “When a prince’s personal conduct is correct, his government is effective without the issuing of orders. If his personal conduct is not correct, he may issue orders, but they will not be followed.” (Analects, XIII: 6; trans. James Legge)

Original Chinese Text and Japanese text

「子曰、奢則不孫、儉則固、與其不孫也寧固。」 「奢るときは不遜なり、倹なるときは固なり、其の不遜よりは倹なれ」述而篇35

English translation:

“The Master said, “Extravagance leads to insubordination, and parsimony to meanness. It is better to be mean than to be insubordinate.” (Analects, VII.35; trans. James Legge)

Original Chinese Text and Japanese text

「子曰、為政以徳、譬如北辰居其所、而衆星共之。」 「政を為すに徳を以てすれば、譬えば北辰の其の所に居りて衆星のこれを共（めぐ）るがごとし」為政篇1

English translation:

The Master said, “He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.” (Analects, II.1; trans. James Legge)

(Note: a natural approach to politics in which the leader sits at the center of things just as the North Star (or Pole Star) sits at the center of the northern sky)

Original Chinese Text and Japanese text

「子曰、君子不器。」 「君子は器ならず」為政篇2

English translation:

The Master said, “The superior man is not a utensil.” (Analects, II: 2)

(Note: A good politician should not be a professional specialized in only one area but be knowledgeable in many areas.)

Original Chinese Text and Japanese text

「子曰、先行其言、而後従之」 「先ず其の言を行うと、而して後にこれに従う」為政篇13

English translation:

The Master said, “He acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.” (Analects, II: 13; trans. James Legge)

Original Chinese Text and Japanese text

「子曰、君子周而不比、小人比而不周」 「君子は周して比せず、小人は比して周せず」為政篇14

English translation:

The Master said, “The superior man listens to all and is not partisan. The mean man is partisan and does not listen to all.” (Analects, II: 14) (Note: Politicians should not engage in petty factionalism)

What do you make of these quotes? Do you agree with them? The full text of the Analects is readily available on the internet. Try to find your favorite quotes and share them with other learners here.