# XXXVIII explained — Analects

> Chapter companion for Analects by Confucius.

## What happens

Kung-po Liâo slanders Tsze-lû before Chî-sun, prompting Tsze-fû Ching-po to offer to punish him. Confucius responds that the success or failure of his principles is determined by fate, not by the actions of slanderers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtuous Governance

Confucius's response underscores that the success of righteous principles is not subject to human slander but to a higher moral order.

## Character check-ins

### Kung-po Liâo

Slanders Tsze-lû to Chî-sun, prompting a reaction from Tsze-fû Ching-po.

### Tsze-lû

Subject of the slander, though he does not speak in this chapter.

### Tsze-fû Ching-po

Informs Confucius of the slander and offers to punish Liâo.

### Confucius

Responds with a fatalistic view, attributing the advancement or decline of his principles to fate.

## Key lines

> If my principles are to advance, it is so ordered. If they are to fall to the ground, it is so ordered. What can the Kung-po Liâo do where such ordering is concerned?

Whether my teachings succeed or fail is determined by fate, not by the slander of Liâo.

_Confucius expresses resignation to the will of heaven, dismissing the impact of human malice._

## Links

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