Analects, Chapter 20: CHAP. I. 1. Yao said, 'Oh! you, Shun, the Heaven-determined

Translation

BOOK XX. YAO YUEH.

CHAP. I. 1. Yao said, 'Oh! you, Shun, the Heaven-determined order of succession now rests in your person. Sincerely hold fast the due Mean. If there shall be distress and want within the four seas, the Heavenly revenue will come to a perpetual end.' 2. Shun also used the same language in giving charge to Yu. 3. T'ang said, 'I the child Li, presume to use a dark-coloured victim, and presume to announce to Thee, O most great and sovereign God, that the sinner I dare not pardon, and thy ministers, O God, I do not keep in obscurity. The examination of them is by thy mind, O God. If, in my person, I commit offences, they are not to be attributed to you, the people of the myriad regions. If you in the myriad regions commit offences, these offences must rest on my person.' 4. Chau conferred great gifts, and the good were enriched. 5. 'Although he has his near relatives, they are not equal to my virtuous men. The people are throwing blame upon me, the One man.' 6. He carefully attended to the weights and measures, examined the body of the laws, restored the discarded officers, and the good government of the kingdom took its course. 7. He revived States that had been extinguished, restored families whose line of succession had been broken, and called to office those who had retired into obscurity, so that throughout the kingdom the hearts of the people turned towards him. 8. What he attached chief importance to, were the food of the people, the duties of mourning, and sacrifices. 9. By his generosity, he won all. By his sincerity, he made the people repose trust in him. By his earnest activity, his achievements were great. By his justice, all were delighted.

CHAP. II. 1. Tsze-chang asked Confucius, saying, 'In what way should a person in authority act in order that he may conduct government properly?' The Master replied, 'Let him honour the five excellent, and banish away the four bad, things;-- then may he conduct government properly.' Tsze-chang said, 'What are meant by the five excellent things?' The Master said, 'When the person in authority is beneficent without great expenditure; when he lays tasks on the people without their repining; when he pursues what he desires without being covetous; when he maintains a dignified ease without being proud; when he is majestic without being fierce.' 2. Tsze-chang said, 'What is meant by being beneficent without great expenditure?' The Master replied, 'When the person in authority makes more beneficial to the people the things from which they naturally derive benefit;-- is not this being beneficent without great expenditure? When he chooses the labours which are proper, and makes them labour on them, who will repine? When his desires are set on benevolent government, and he secures it, who will accuse him of covetousness? Whether he has to do with many people or few, or with things great or small, he does not dare to indicate any disrespect;-- is not this to maintain a dignified ease without any pride? He adjusts his clothes and cap, and throws a dignity into his looks, so that, thus dignified, he is looked at with awe;-- is not this to be majestic without being fierce?' 3. Tsze-chang then asked, 'What are meant by the four bad things?' The Master said, 'To put the people to death without having instructed them;-- this is called cruelty. To require from them, suddenly, the full tale of work, without having given them warning;-- this is called oppression. To issue orders as if without urgency, at first, and, when the time comes, to insist on them with severity;-- this is called injury. And, generally, in the giving pay or rewards to men, to do it in a stingy way;-- this is called acting the part of a mere official.' CHAP III. 1. The Master said, 'Without recognising the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man. 2. 'Without an acquaintance with the rules of Propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established. 3. 'Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men.'

Practical Reading

Book 20 - The Conclusion and Summary

The final book summarizes the entire Analects, returning to themes of virtue, governance, and the superior man. It's a capstone that ties together the diverse teachings of the previous 19 books.

Key Modern Applications:

1. The Five Virtues (Chapter I) - "Gravity, generosity, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness." These five qualities are timeless. Assess yourself: which of the five are your strengths? Which need development?

2. The Four Things to Avoid (Chapter II) - "To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short." The golden mean isn't mediocrity--it's precision. In every situation, there's a "just right" amount of action. Cultivate discernment.

3. The Importance of the Long View (Chapter III) - "The superior man does not promote a man simply because of his words." Quick judgments are usually wrong. Give people time to reveal their character. And give yourself time to reveal yours.

4. The Final Lesson: Integration (Chapter IV) - "In the Book of Poetry, it is said: 'The oath-sworn allies of the Yin dynasty came to Zhou, and all about the throne were good men.'" The ultimate test of wisdom is: who chooses to be around you? If good people want to work with you, you're doing something right.

Action Step: Reflect on your journey through these 20 books. Which teaching has been most impactful for you? Commit to practicing it deliberately for the next 30 days. Then, share it with someone else--teaching is the best way to deepen your own understanding.