The Analects – Chapter 115 (5.25). Confucius’ indictment of hypocrisy through the lens of Zuo Qiuming

5.25

The Master said, “Clever talk, a pretentious manner and a reverence that is only of the feet — Zuo Qiuming was incapable of stooping to them, and I too could never stoop to them. Having to conceal one’s indignation and keep on friendly terms with the people against whom one feels it — Zuo Qiuming was incapable of stooping to such conduct, and I too am incapable of stooping to such conduct.”

子曰：「巧言、令色、足恭，左丘明恥之，丘亦恥之。匿怨而友其人，左丘明恥之，丘亦恥之。」

Notes

Zuo Qiuming was a historian of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period (traditionally credited with Zuo’s Commentary and Discourses of the States, renowned for his integrity). Confucius condemned two forms of hypocrisy, contrasting them with Zuo Qiuming’s critiques to underscore Confucianism’s absolute demand for sincerity — hypocrisy violates a noble person’s moral bedrock, and these acts epitomize the core of falseness.

Confucius held it shameful to:

• Flatter others with honeyed words, feigned smiles, and excessive obsequiousness;
• Conceal resentment toward others while pretending friendship.

“Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with benevolence.”(Analects 1.3)

This is the most direct repudiation of “fine words and an insinuating appearance”. “Excessive deference in conduct” is precisely an extension of “an insinuating appearance” – such overly obsequious behavior is essentially hypocrisy aimed at currying favor.

Together with “fine words”, it is an outward manifestation of “a scarcity of benevolence”, and is entirely consistent with Confucius’ stance that “this I also regard as shameful”.

“A gentleman desires to be slow in speech but earnest in action.”(Analects 4.24)

It puts forward the criterion of speech and conduct for a gentleman from a positive perspective – valuing action over speech and opposing the superficiality of “fine words”.

Those who indulge in “fine words” often “speak more than they act”, and being “slow in speech” serves as a corrective to such hypocritical words and deeds, highlighting the importance of establishing oneself with sincerity.

“The gentleman is calm and unperturbed; the petty man is anxious and full of distress.”(Analects 7.37)

“Hiding resentment yet befriending the person one resents” is precisely the root cause of the petty man’s “anxiety and distress” – harboring grudges in one’s heart while pretending to be amicable on the surface, such duplicity is bound to breed inner turmoil.

In contrast, the gentleman’s “calm and unperturbed state” stems from consistency between words and deeds and freedom from selfish motives, forming a sharp contrast with the contemptible act of “hiding resentment” condemned by Confucius.