# XXXV explained — Analects

> Chapter companion for Analects by Confucius.

## What happens

Confucius contrasts extravagance and parsimony, noting that extravagance leads to insubordination while parsimony leads to meanness, and concludes that it is better to be mean than insubordinate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ritual and Propriety

The discussion of extravagance and parsimony relates to proper conduct and the balance between excess and deficiency in ritual and behavior.

## Character check-ins

### Confucius

The Master delivers a teaching on the dangers of extravagance and parsimony.

## Key lines

> Extravagance leads to insubordination, and parsimony to meanness. It is better to be mean than to be insubordinate.

Excessive spending makes people rebellious, while being too frugal makes them petty. Of the two, it is preferable to be petty than rebellious.

_Confucius warns against the extremes of extravagance and parsimony, favoring the lesser evil of meanness over insubordination._

## Links

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