# XXXIV explained — Analects

> Chapter companion for Analects by Confucius.

## What happens

When Confucius falls seriously ill, Tsze-lû asks permission to pray for his recovery. Confucius questions whether such an act is permissible, and Tsze-lû cites the Eulogies, which mention prayers to the spirits of the upper and lower worlds. Confucius responds that his praying has been for a long time, implying that his life of virtue and sincerity has been a continuous form of prayer.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sincerity and Faithfulness

Confucius implies that his lifelong practice of sincerity and faithfulness is a continuous prayer, making ritual prayer unnecessary.

## Character check-ins

### Confucius

The Master, gravely ill, responds to Tsze-lû's offer to pray, indicating that his life of virtue has been a long-standing prayer.

### Tsze-lû

A devoted disciple who, concerned for his teacher's health, asks permission to pray for him and cites the Eulogies.

## Key lines

> My praying has been for a long time.

I have been praying through my actions and virtuous life for a long time already.

_Confucius suggests that his entire life of virtue is a form of prayer, transcending the need for ritualistic petitions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxxiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters