Book I: Hsio R explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Filial Piety

  Yû Zo states that filial piety and fraternal submission are the root of all benevolent actions, and Confucius defines filial conduct as not altering the father's ways for three years after his death.

• Self-Cultivation

  The chapter emphasizes daily self-examination (Tsǎng), the pursuit of learning with perseverance, and the cultivation of virtues such as sincerity, faithfulness, and gravity.

• Ritual and Propriety

  Yû Zo discusses the importance of natural ease in practising propriety, and Confucius praises the rich man who loves the rules of propriety.

Characters to notice

• Confucius

  Opens the chapter with reflections on learning, virtue, and self-cultivation; provides guidance on governance, filial conduct, and the pursuit of complete virtue.

• Yû Zo

  Discusses filial piety and fraternal submission as the root of benevolent actions, and emphasizes the importance of natural ease regulated by propriety.

• Tsǎng Shǎn

  Describes his daily self-examination on three points: faithfulness in business, sincerity in friendship, and mastery of the teacher's instructions.

• Tsze-hsiâ

  Argues that true learning is demonstrated through virtuous conduct, such as serving parents with strength, serving a prince with devotion, and being sincere in friendship.

• Tsze-kung

  Explains how the Master obtains information about government through his benign, upright, courteous, temperate, and complaisant character; engages in a dialogue about the poor and the rich.

• Tsze-ch’in

  Asks Tsze-kung about how the Master learns about government in each country.

Key passages

• “Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application?”

  Is it not a joy to study and practice what you learn with steady effort?

  Confucius opens the Analects with the value of persistent learning.

• “The superior man bends his attention to what is radical. That being established, all practical courses naturally grow up.”

  The exemplary person focuses on the root; once that is established, all proper actions naturally follow.

  Yû Zo emphasizes the foundational role of filial piety and fraternal duty.

• “I daily examine myself on three points:—whether, in transacting business for others, I may have been not faithful;—whether, in intercourse with friends, I may have been not sincere;—whether I may have not mastered and practised the instructions of my teacher.”

  Each day I reflect on three things: whether I was loyal in serving others, sincere with friends, and diligent in practicing what I learned.

  Tsǎng Shǎn's method of self-cultivation through daily self-examination.

• “To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men; and the employment of the people at the proper seasons.”

  To govern a large state, one must be diligent and sincere, frugal and caring, and employ the people at appropriate times.

  Confucius outlines the principles of virtuous governance.

• “If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength; if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if, in his intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere:—although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.”

  If someone turns from superficial attractions to genuine virtue, serves parents and prince with utmost dedication, and is sincere with friends, then even if others call him unlearned, I would call him truly learned.

  Tsze-hsiâ redefines true learning as virtuous conduct rather than mere knowledge.

• “While a man’s father is alive, look at the bent of his will; when his father is dead, look at his conduct. If for three years he does not alter from the way of his father, he may be called filial.”

  Observe a son's intentions while his father lives, and his actions after his father's death; if he continues his father's path for three years, he is truly filial.

  Confucius defines filial piety in terms of continuity and respect for the father's way.