Lao (a disciple of Confucius) said, “The Master once remarked, ‘Because I was never given an official post, I acquired many practical skills.’”
Note
Though brief, this statement from the Analects deeply reflects Confucius’s life circumstances and educational philosophy. Confucius aspired to serve in government and bring order to the state, but since he was never actually employed in office, he had the time to study and master various practical arts – such as the Six Arts: rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics. He did not regard these skills as ends in themselves, but as means for moral self-cultivation and vehicles for the Way (Dao). The remark also reveals a calm acceptance of fate: even though his political ambitions went unfulfilled, he turned that limitation into an opportunity for broader personal development, becoming a model of the well-rounded scholar. More importantly, it shows that in Confucian thought, “arts” are not merely vocational tools; they are integral to ethical cultivation and must serve higher moral ideals – not personal display or utility.
Further Reading
When Confucius heard this, he said, “In my youth I was of low status, so I learned many humble skills. Do noble persons really need so many talents? Not really.” Analects 9.6 (Zi Han)
Both passages explain Confucius’s mastery of practical skills as a result of his lack of official position or lowly origins, and both downplay the importance of such skills for the true junzi, who prioritizes moral virtue over technical ability.
The Master said, “Set your heart on the Way, rely on virtue, lean on humaneness, and find recreation in the arts.” Analects 7.6 (Shu Er)
Positions the “arts” as secondary – something to “recreate” in after securing moral foundations – consistent with the view that skills are valuable only when grounded in ethical purpose.
牢曰：「子云，『吾不試，故藝』。」
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