Analects 13.21: 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 13.21
子曰、不得中行而與之、必也狂狷乎、狂者進取、狷者有所不為也。
The Master said, “If I cannot find people who keep the middle course to associate with, then surely I must turn to the impetuous and the scrupulous. The impetuous press ahead; the scrupulous have things they will not do.”
Commentary
ethics Two partial strengths Keeping the middle course is the first preference. The alternatives each possess something usable: the impetuous press ahead, and the scrupulous draw a line at certain acts. The saying gives their strengths separately, without claiming that either by itself has achieved the balance first sought. 與之 is taken as association; the Chinese does not specify a formal teaching arrangement.
Basis: textual-inference
Confidence: medium