Confucianism

Chapter12— Yen Yuan — Perfect Virtue

◆ About this chapter

Chapter Twelve of the Analects records a series of dialogues between Confucius and his disciples, including the prominent figure Yen Yuan, centered on the cultivation of perfect virtue and the proper ordering of social relations. These exchanges illustrate the core Confucian ideal that moral perfection arises from self-discipline and the harmonious alignment of individual conduct with established rites. Situated within the broader collection of sayings attributed to the Master, this chapter serves as a foundational text for understanding the ethical framework that underpins traditional Chinese civilization.

Translation:

About this translation

King James Version (1611)

1611 · Public domain

The most influential English translation ever made. Sometimes archaic, but the standard PD English text.

Translators commissioned by King James I of England, 1604–1611

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?' ²Chung-kung asked about perfect virtue. The Master said, 'It is, when you go abroad, to behave to every one as if you were receiving a great guest; to employ the people as if you were assisting at a great sacrifice; not to do to others as you would not wish done to yourself; to have no murmuring against you in the country, and none in the family.' ¹¹The Duke Ching, of Ch'i, asked Confucius about government. Confucius replied, 'There is government, when the prince is prince, and the minister is minister; when the father is father, and the son is son.' ²²Fan Ch'ih asked about benevolence. The Master said, 'It is to love all men.' He asked about knowledge. The Master said, 'It is to know all men.'

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