Exploring the Analects

Exploring the Analects

Book 19: 《子張》 Zi Zhang

《子張》 Passage 19.3

子夏之門人問交於子張。子張曰:「子夏云何?」對曰:「子夏曰:『可者與之,其不可者拒之。』」子張曰:「異乎吾所聞:君子尊賢而容眾,嘉善而矜不能。我之大賢與,於人何所不容?我之不賢與,人將拒我,如之何其拒人也?」

Legge Translation (1861)

The disciples of Zixia asked Zizhang about the principles that should characterize conversational intercourse. Zizhang asked: "What does Zixia say on the subject?"

They replied: "Zixia says: 'Associate with those who can advantage you, and keep at a distance from those who cannot do so.'"

Zizhang said: "This is different from what I have learned. The superior man honors the talented and virtuous, and bears with all. He praises the good, and pities the incompetent. Am I possessed of great talents and virtue? — who is there among men whom I will not bear with? Am I devoid of talents and virtue? — men will put ME at a distance from them. What have we to do with putting others at a distance?"
子夏 子張

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