Analects 9.29: 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 9.29
子曰、可與共學、未可與適道、可與適道、未可與立、可與立、未可與權。
The Master said, “Being able to learn together does not yet mean being able to pursue the Way together. Being able to pursue the Way together does not yet mean being able to stand firm together. Being able to stand firm together does not yet mean being able to weigh things together.”
Commentary
philology Standing firm and weighing Each repeated 與 concerns what one can do with another person. Shared study does not yet guarantee shared pursuit of the Way; pursuit does not guarantee a firm stand; a firm stand does not guarantee judgment. 權 evokes weighing. Its position after 立 suggests the ability to judge particular circumstances from an established position, a further capacity beyond simply holding that position.
Basis: textual-inference
Confidence: medium