Analects 9.15: 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 9.15
子曰、出則事公卿、入則事父兄、喪事不敢不勉、不為酒困、何有於我哉。
The Master said, “Serving dukes and ministers outside the home; serving father and elder brothers within it; not daring to slacken in mourning; not being overcome by wine—how much of this can I claim?”
Commentary
translation How much can I claim? The closing 何有於我哉 can be taken as asking what of these qualities the speaker possesses. Legge follows this self-questioning reading, as does “how much of this can I claim?” Taking 何有 as “what difficulty is there?” would make the close a modest claim of competence instead. The four preceding concerns remain concrete under either reading: public service, family service, mourning, and restraint with wine.
Basis: translation-comparison
Confidence: medium