Analects 13.1: 子路 (Zi Lu)
Confucius and his disciples · Classical Chinese original · new English translation and commentary by Text Atlas
Overview
Book 13 asks what makes government effective and what qualifies someone to serve. Leading by example, appointing capable people, setting names right, creating prosperity, and teaching all place demands on the ruler. Short claims about conduct stand beside long exchanges about speech, judgment, and the time needed for change. The book also tests uprightness, reputation, reliability, and harmony through particular relationships, sometimes leaving a difficult tension visible, as when family concealment is praised. Its closing sayings make preparation for war a responsibility toward the people who must fight.
Analects 13.1
子路問政。子曰、先之、勞之。請益。曰、無倦。
Zilu asked about government. The Master said, “Lead the people by example; work hard for them.” Zilu asked for more. The Master said, “Never grow weary.”
Commentary
politics Leading and continuing Zilu asks what government requires, then asks for more. The second answer adds duration to the first: the work of leading must continue without weariness. This opening prepares the book’s repeated concern with the time that good government takes.
Basis: textual-inference
Confidence: high
translation Who does the work? 先之 makes going first part of rule. 勞之 can suggest working for the people or putting them to work. The English follows the first reading, also taken by Legge; the pair then places the burden of example and effort on the leader.
Basis: translation-comparison
Confidence: medium