Analects 13.2: 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 13.2
仲弓為李氏宰、問政。子曰、先有司、赦小過、舉賢才。曰、焉知賢才而舉之。曰、舉爾所知、爾所不知、人其舍諸。
Zhonggong, serving as steward to the Ji family, asked about government. The Master said, “Begin with the responsible officers; pardon small faults; promote the worthy and able.” Zhonggong asked, “How can I recognize the worthy and able so that I can promote them?” The Master said, “Promote those you know. As for those you do not know, will others overlook them?”
Commentary
politics Appointment uses other people’s judgment Zhonggong is introduced as a household steward asking about government. The three instructions join the officers already responsible, tolerance of minor faults, and the promotion of capable people. The closing question trusts other people to notice candidates beyond the steward’s own acquaintance. 先有司 can mean beginning with the officers or taking the lead before them; the English keeps their priority without deciding the exact administrative procedure.
Basis: textual-inference
Confidence: medium
source variant Li in the source, Ji in the English The Chinese here prints 李氏, which would normally give the family name Li. The Chinese comparison witness has 季氏, Ji, and Legge’s facing English also identifies the Ji family in his older spelling. The English follows that supported name reading; the displayed Chinese retains 李.
Basis: sourced
Confidence: medium