Analects 12.23: 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 12.23
子貢問友。子曰、忠告而善道之、不可則止、毋自辱焉。
Zigong asked about friends. The Master said, “Advise them wholeheartedly and guide them well. If that will not work, stop; do not bring disgrace on yourself.”
Commentary
ethics Advice has a stopping point 忠 gives the advice wholehearted commitment; 善 asks that the guidance be done well. 道 is a verb of guiding here. The next clause requires stopping when that guidance cannot work. The final warning connects persistence beyond that point with bringing disgrace on oneself, setting a limit within the duty of friendship.
Basis: textual-inference
Confidence: medium