Book 7: 《述而》 Shu Er (Transmission)
《述而》 Passage 7.6
Legge Translation (1861)
The Master said: "Let the will be set on the path of duty.Let every attainment in what is good be firmly grasped.
Let perfect virtue be accorded with.
Let relaxation and enjoyment be found in the polite arts."
Word by word
- 子曰 zǐ yuē
the Master said
- 子 the Master, honorific title for Confucius
- 曰 said, introduces reported speech
- 志 zhì
to set one's heart on, aspire to, be intent on
- 於 yú
oblique-marking coverb: on, upon, toward
- 道 dào
the Way, the proper moral path
Roberts paraphrases dao as 'our ideals' rather than 'the Way'.
- 據 jù
to rely on, hold firmly to, base oneself on
- 於 yú
oblique-marking coverb: on, upon, to, with
- 德 dé
virtue, moral character
- 依 yī
to lean on, rely upon, abide by
- 於 yú
oblique-marking coverb: on, upon, with
- 仁 rén
humaneness, benevolence
Ames & Rosemont's 'authoritative conduct' reflects a process-oriented reading distinct from the more common 'benevolence' gloss.
- 游 yóu
to roam, take one's recreation and ease in
- 於 yú
oblique-marking coverb: in, at, with
- 藝 yì
the (six) arts: ritual, music, archery, charioteering, writing, reckoning
yi is contested between the technical 'six arts' of the Zhou curriculum and a looser sense of cultivated accomplishments.
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