Analects 13.8: 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 13.8
子謂衛公子荊善居室、始有、曰、苟合矣、少有、曰、苟完矣、富有、曰、苟美矣。
The Master said that Prince Jing of Wei managed his household well. When he first had some means, he said, “This is enough to set up a household.” When he had a little more, he said, “This is complete enough.” When he was wealthy, he said, “This is fine enough.”
Commentary
ethics Enough at each stage Prince Jing is praised for how he inhabits and maintains a household as his means grow. 苟 recurs in each of his responses; “enough” reads it as modest sufficiency. 合, 完, and 美 move from gathering a household together to completeness and then fineness. Wealth changes the scale, while the repeated acceptance of what is enough stays audible.
Basis: textual-inference
Confidence: medium