Analects 13.26: 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 13.26
子曰、君子泰而不驕、小人驕而不泰。
The Master said, “An exemplary person is at ease without arrogance; a petty person is arrogant without being at ease.”
Commentary
ethics Ease without arrogance The two clauses exchange 泰 and 驕 while keeping the distinction sharp. 泰 is ease or composure; 驕 is arrogance. The exemplary person’s assurance can remain unforced, whereas the petty person’s claim to superiority lacks that ease. The mirror structure invites the reader to distinguish similar-looking forms of confidence.
Basis: textual-inference
Confidence: high