Book 13: 《子路》 Zi Lu
《子路》 Passage 13.1
Legge Translation (1861)
Zilu asked about government. The Master said: "Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs."He requested further instruction, and was answered: "Be not weary in these things."
Word by word
- 子路 zǐ lù
Zilu, disciple of Confucius
- 子 prefix of a courtesy name, as in 子路 and 子貢; not the title Master
- 路 syllable in the disciple's name Zilu (子路)
- 問 wèn
to ask, inquire about
- 政 zhèng
government, governing
- 子曰 zǐ yuē
the Master said
- 子 honorific title: the Master, referring to Confucius
- 曰 said, spoke — introduces the Master's words
- 先 xiān
to go before, precede, lead by setting an example
- 之 zhī
them, the people
- 勞 láo
to work hard, toil, labor, put to work
Two readings: read láo, to set the people to work or to labor at their affairs oneself (孔安國; 朱熹 citing 蘇軾), or read lào, to reward and comfort their toil, the reading behind Roberts ('reward their toil') and Watson ('rewarding').
- 之 zhī
them, the people
- 請 qǐng
to request, ask for further instruction
- 益 yì
more, further, additional elaboration
- 曰 yuē
said, replied
- 無 wú
negative imperative: do not, must not
- 倦 juàn
weary, tired, inclined to slacken effort
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