Analects 19.6: 子張 (Zi Zhang)
Confucius and his disciples · Classical Chinese original · new English translation and commentary by Text Atlas
Overview
Zizhang, Zixia, Ziyou, Master Zeng, and Zigong speak about learning, friendship, mourning, and public responsibility. Their judgments sometimes conflict: who should be welcomed as a friend, how teaching reaches the root, and whether impressive achievement amounts to humaneness. The final sayings turn to reputation and the limits of judging another person. Zigong defends the Master through images of hidden interiors, the sun and moon, and rule that would draw a response from the people.
Analects 19.6
子夏曰、博學而篤志、切問而近思、仁在其中矣。
Zixia said, “Learn widely, hold firmly to your purpose, ask searching questions, and reflect on what is close at hand. Humaneness lies within this.”
Commentary
philology Wide learning, close reflection The pairs balance range with concentration: broad learning with a firm purpose, searching questions with reflection on what is near. 近思 can mean thinking about immediate matters or bringing reflection close to oneself. “Close at hand” favors immediate matters; the more personal reading remains possible. Humaneness is located within these practices.
Basis: textual-inference
Confidence: medium