The Analects – Chapter 172 (7.24). Confucius’ ‌pedagogical transparency

7.24

The Master said, “My students, I know you think that there is something I am keeping from you. There is nothing at all that I keep from you. I take no steps about which I do not consult you, my students. Were it otherwise, I should not be Qiu.”

子曰：「二三子以我為隱乎？吾無隱乎爾。吾無行而不與二三子者，是丘也。」

Notes

This declaration from the Analects emphasizes Confucius’ pedagogical transparency:

• Rejects secrecy: Dismisses disciples’ suspicion of hidden knowledge
• Embodies integrity: All conduct serves as teachable moments

True teaching requires radical openness — the master becomes the lesson through observable actions.

“For anyone who presents a small gift of dried meat on his own initiative, I have never refused to teach him.”(Analects 7.7)

Confucius would offer his instruction to whoever came to him voluntarily with a modest gift, regardless of their social status. This embodies the equality and openness of his educational philosophy. It was an institutional commitment to “holding nothing back” – his knowledge and teachings were accessible to all who sought learning, without any sectarian bias, and this was entirely consistent with the sincerity reflected in his statement “I hold nothing back from you.”

“However, I never tire of practicing the way, and I never tire of teaching others – that much, I can say of myself.”(Analects 7.34)

Confucius described himself as someone who never grew complacent in practicing moral principles and never wearied of instructing his disciples. “Never tiring of teaching” was precisely the practical manifestation of “holding nothing back” – only by teaching without reservation and devoting himself fully could he keep teaching tirelessly, imparting all that he had learned to his students.