Analects 9.12: 子罕 (Zi Han)
Confucius and his disciples · Classical Chinese original · new English translation and commentary by Text Atlas
Overview
Book 9 presents the Master through questions about his learning, skills, character, and place in the cultural tradition. His own accounts of ordinary work and unfinished attainment stand beside his students’ admiration. Ritual decisions distinguish useful change from arrogant display, while the jade exchange joins willingness to serve with waiting for someone who recognizes worth. Images of flowing water, earthworks, growing plants, and winter trees give passing time, effort, and tested character concrete form. Praise of learners sits beside regret and warnings about unfinished growth. The later sayings ask for correction, resolve, and the ability to weigh circumstances after learning to stand firm.
Analects 9.12
子貢曰、有美玉於斯、韞(du2匚＋賣、與「櫝」同)而藏諸、求善賈而沽諸。子曰、沽之哉、沽之哉、我待賈者也。
Zigong said, “Suppose there is a fine piece of jade here. Should it be put in a case and kept, or should one look for a good buyer and sell it?” The Master said, “Sell it! Sell it! I am waiting for a buyer.”
Commentary
source variant The described character is a case The parenthesis in the Chinese describes a character that the transcription could not display. It gives the sound du2, the components 匚 and 賣, and explicitly equates the character with 櫝, a case or box. The English therefore places the jade in a case. The description belongs to the written form of the text, not to Zigong’s speech.
Basis: sourced
Confidence: high
translation Seeking and waiting 賈 can be read as a buyer or as a price. Legge chooses a good price; this translation chooses a good buyer, making the final waiting concern someone who recognizes the jade’s worth. The Master eagerly accepts selling but changes seeking to waiting. Read as an image of his own availability for service, the exchange holds willingness and selectiveness together.
Basis: translation-comparison
Confidence: medium