SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

rectification of names

  • The Analects – Chapter 16.14

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    Ana

    The wife of a feudal lord is called “Fu Ren” (Lady) by her husband; she refers to herself humbly as “Xiao Tong” (Little Child); the people of her state call her “Jun Fu Ren” (Lord’s Lady); when her state refers to her when speaking to other states, she is called “Gua Xiao Jun” (My…

  • The Analects – Chapter 16.3

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    Ana

    Confucius said, “The stipends and authority have been removed from the ducal house for five generations; political power has rested with the high ministers for four generations. Therefore, the descendants of the Three Huan families are now in decline.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 16.2

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    Ana

    Confucius said, “When the world is governed by the Way, rites and music and decisions on military campaigns originate from the Son of Heaven. When the world lacks the Way, they originate from the feudal lords. When they come from the feudal lords, rarely does their rule last beyond ten generations; when they come…

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.26

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    Ana

    The Master said, “If you are not in a particular position, do not meddle in its affairs.”Zengzi added, “The noble person’s thoughts do not go beyond his proper role.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.21

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    Ana

    Chen Chengzi (also known as Chen Heng) assassinated Duke Jian of Qi. Upon hearing this, Confucius bathed, dressed in formal court attire, and went to court to report to Duke Ai of Lu: “Chen Heng has murdered his ruler. I request that you launch a punitive expedition against him.”Duke Ai replied, “Report this to…

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.7

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    Ana

    The Master said, “The governance of Lu and Wei is like that of brothers.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.3

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    Ana

    Zilu asked Confucius, “If the ruler of Wei were waiting for you to take charge of government, what would you do first?”The Master said, “Certainly, I would rectify the names!”Zilu replied, “Really? How impractical you are! What’s there to rectify?”The Master said, “How uncultivated you are, You! When a noble person does not understand…

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.11

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    Ana

    Duke Jing of Qi asked Confucius about governance. Confucius replied, “Let the ruler be a ruler, the minister be a minister, the father be a father, and the son be a son.”The Duke said, “Excellent! Indeed, if rulers do not act as rulers, ministers do not act as ministers, fathers do not act as…

  • The Analects – Chapter 11.26

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    Ana

    Zilu, Zeng Xi (named Dian), Ran You, and Gongxi Hua were sitting with Confucius. The Master said, “I am a few years older than you – don’t let that hold you back. You often say, ‘No one understands me!’ If someone did understand and employ you, what would you do?”