The Analects – Chapter 182 (7.34). Confucius on continuous striving and teaching

7.34

The Master said, “As to being a Divine Sage or even a benevolent man, far be it from me to make any such claim. As for unwearying effort to learn and unflagging patience in teaching others, those are merits that I do not hesitate to claim.”

Gongxi Hua said, “The trouble is that we disciples cannot learn!”

子曰：「若聖與仁，則吾豈敢？抑為之不厭，誨人不倦，則可謂云爾已矣。」公西華曰：「正唯弟子不能學也。」

Notes

In this dialogue from the Analects, Confucius denied having attained the states of “sageliness” or “benevolence,” but claimed that he practiced righteousness without weariness and taught others without fatigue.

Confucius’ words demonstrate the Confucian value orientation of “rejecting empty fame and prioritizing practical cultivation,” while Gongxi Hua’s response highlights that this pragmatic spirit is precisely the most difficult quality to embody.

“To learn silently and treasure knowledge in one’s heart, to study without weariness, and to teach others without being tired – how can I claim to have fully attained these?”(Analects 7.2)

“To study without weariness” refers to self-cultivation, while “to teach others without being tired” refers to educating others. Expressed in a humble tone, this statement reveals a lifelong commitment to learning and teaching, embodying the dialectical relationship that “unceasing learning fuels tireless teaching, and tireless teaching in turn deepens one’s learning”.

“I exert myself to the point of forgetting my meals; I rejoice in the pursuit of knowledge to the point of forgetting my worries; I do not even realize that old age is approaching.”(Analects 7.19)

This quote interprets the motivation behind “being unflagging in practice” and “being tireless in teaching” through the lens of joy: Confucius would forget his meals because of his wholehearted devotion to self-cultivation, and forget his worries because of the joy he derived from it. He regarded the practice of moral principles and the education of others as sources of genuine delight, which represents the highest state of “being unflagging and tireless”.