Analects 12.17: 顏淵 (Yan Yuan)
Confucius and his disciples · Classical Chinese original · new English translation and commentary by Text Atlas
Overview
Book 12 asks how humaneness takes shape in conduct: self-mastery and ritual, care toward others, and words answerable to action. Its political exchanges test government through trust, the people’s livelihood, and the example of those who lead. Questions about clear sight and genuine accomplishment make understanding people more demanding than knowing their reputation. The account of promoting the upright brings that judgment into public service, while Zixia’s examples place the distancing of the inhumane beside the claim of reform. The closing sayings return to friendship as a practice of advice, restraint, learning, and support for humaneness.
Analects 12.17
李康子問政於孔子。孔子對曰、政者正也、子帥以正、孰敢不正。
Ji Kangzi asked Confucius about government. Confucius replied, “Government is setting things right. If you lead by being upright, who would dare not be upright?”
Commentary
politics Setting right begins with the leader Confucius answers 政, government, with 正, setting right or being upright, then repeats 正 for the leader and those led. The questioner is made responsible for embodying the order he wants. The closing “who would dare” retains the force of authority within this appeal to personal example.
Basis: textual-inference
Confidence: high
source variant The name Ji Kangzi The Chinese prints 李康子, which would give Li Kangzi. The English uses Ji Kangzi, reading the surname as 季; Legge’s facing Chi K’ang supports that identification. This is a choice about the name, not a change to the displayed Chinese. The same printed form recurs in the next two exchanges.
Basis: translation-comparison
Confidence: medium