Analects · Chapter
XLII explained
Confucius is playing a musical stone in Wei when a passerby carrying a straw basket comments on his playing, suggesting that his stubbornness is contemptible and that he should give up his desire for public employment when ignored.
What happens
Confucius is playing a musical stone in Wei when a passerby carrying a straw basket comments on his playing, suggesting that his stubbornness is contemptible and that he should give up his desire for public employment when ignored. Confucius acknowledges the man's determination but notes that his approach is not difficult.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Cultivation
Confucius's playing of the musical stone reflects his personal cultivation, while the critic's comment highlights the tension between persistence and adaptability.
Characters to notice
- Confucius
Playing a musical stone in Wei, he responds to a critic's remarks about his persistence.
Key passages
“His heart is full who so beats the musical stone.”
The man carrying the straw basket observes that Confucius's playing reveals a heart full of emotion or purpose.
The critic interprets the sound of the stone as an expression of Confucius's inner state.
“How contemptible is the one-ideaed obstinacy those sounds display! When one is taken no notice of, he has simply at once to give over his wish for public employment.”
The critic scorns Confucius's stubborn single-mindedness, suggesting that if one's services are not recognized, one should immediately abandon the desire for office.
This reflects a pragmatic view of public service, contrasting with Confucius's perseverance.
“‘Deep water must be crossed with the clothes on; shallow water may be crossed with the clothes held up.’”
The critic quotes a proverb advising that one should adapt to circumstances: in deep water, keep clothes on; in shallow water, hold them up.
This proverb underscores the critic's advice to be flexible rather than obstinate.
“How determined is he in his purpose! But this is not difficult!”
Confucius acknowledges the man's firmness of purpose but remarks that such determination is not hard to achieve.
Confucius implies that true difficulty lies in balancing persistence with adaptability, not in mere stubbornness.