Analects 13.9: 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 13.9
子適衛、冉有僕。子曰、庶矣哉。冉有曰、既庶矣、又何加焉。曰、富之。曰、既富矣、又何加焉。曰、教之。
The Master went to Wei, with Ran You driving. The Master said, “What a large population!” Ran You asked, “Once there are so many people, what more should be done for them?” “Make them prosperous.” “Once they are prosperous, what more should be done for them?” “Teach them.”
Commentary
politics Prosperity followed by teaching Ran You drives during the journey and draws out the answer with two nearly identical questions. A numerous population calls first for prosperity, then for teaching. The sequence gives material well-being its own place in government while refusing to make it the final achievement. The content of the teaching is left open.
Basis: textual-inference
Confidence: high