The Analects – Chapter 88 (4.23). Confucius on self-restraint

4.23

The Master said, “Those who err on the side of strictness are few indeed!”

子曰：「以約失之者，鮮矣。」

Notes

This passage from the Analects shows Confucius’ profound affirmation of ‌self-discipline‌. He believed true failure often stems from indulgence. If one actively restrains oneself—curbing selfish desires, observing rituals, and guarding speech—the likelihood of error diminishes greatly.

Likewise, Confucius also said:

“A gentleman, extensively versed in literary studies and restrained by the bounds of ritual propriety, can thus avoid deviating from the right path.”(The Analects 6.27)

It takes ritual propriety as the core criterion of “restraint”, specifying that restraint manifests itself as “being bounded by ritual”. It clarifies that restraint serves as a safeguard for upholding the Dao and preventing transgressions. In line with the maxim “few are those who err through being restrained”, it emphasizes that restraint sustains the moral path and reduces the likelihood of mistakes.