Analects 12:1

Yen Yuan asked about jen.

Confucius said, “Conquering your self and returning/turning to li is jen. If a person can for one day conquer himself and return to li, the entire world will turn to jen. The practice of jen comes from a person himself—can it really be from others?”

Yen Yuan said, “May I ask the steps?”

Confucius said, “Do not look at what is contrary to li, do not listen to what is contrary to li, do not say what is contrary to li, and do not act in a way that is contrary to li.”

Yen Yuan said, “Though my cleverness/quickness is limited, I will make it my business/devote to practice this lesson.”


Yen Yuan asked about perfect virtue.

The Master said, “To subdue one’s self and return to propriety, is perfect virtue. If a man can for one day subdue himself and return to propriety, all under heaven will ascribe perfect virtue to him. Is the practice of perfect virtue from a man himself, or is it from others?”

Yen Yuan said, “I beg to ask the steps of that process.”

The Master replied, “Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.”

Yen Yuan [then] said, “Though I am deficient in intelligence and vigor, I will make it my business to practice this lesson.” L


Yen Yuan inquired as to the meaning of true goodness.

The Master said: “The subdual of self, and reversion to the natural laws governing conduct—this is true goodness. If a man can for the space of one day subdue his selfishness and revert to natural laws, the whole world will call him good. True goodness springs from a man’s own heart. How can it depend on other men?”

Yen Yuan said: “Kindly tell me the practical rule to be deduced from this.”

The Master replied: “Do not use your eyes, your ears, your power of speech or your faculty of movement without obeying the inner law of self-control.”

Yen Yuan said: “Though I am not quick in thought or act, I will make it my business to carry out this precept.” G

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