The Analects Chapter 7 Translation

The Analects, a compilation of the teachings and thoughts of Confucius, is a fundamental text in Chinese philosophy and ethics. Here is the translation of Chapter 7:

1. 子曰：“述而不作，信而好古，竊比於我老彭。”

The Master said: "I transmit but do not innovate; I am trustworthy in conveying what I have heard and am fond of the old. I venture to compare myself to our old Peng."

2. 子曰：“默而識之，學而不厭，誨人不倦，何有於我哉？”

The Master said: "He who learns but does not think, is lost; he who thinks but does not learn is in danger. Learning without satiety and teaching without weariness, who can match me?"

3. 子曰：“德之不修，學之不講，聞義不能徒，不善不能改，是吾憂也。”

The Master said: "Not improving one's virtue, not being courteous in learning, not being sincere in one's thoughts, not correcting one's faults these are my worries."

4. 子曰：“歲寒，然後知松柏之後彫也。”

The Master said: "It is only when the year grows cold that we see the pine and cypress are the last to lose their leaves."

5. 子曰：“知者不惑，仁者不憂，勇者不懼。”

The Master said: "The wise are free from perplexities, the virtuous from anxiety, and the bold from fear."

6. 子曰：“可與共學，未可與適道；可與適道，未可與立；可與立，未可與權。”

The Master said: "He who can share learning with others but cannot share the pursuit of the Way, can share the pursuit of the Way but cannot share in establishing it, can share in establishing it but cannot share in its administration."

7. 子曰：“蓋有不知而作之者，我無是也。多聞，擇其善者而從之；多見而識之，知之次也。”

The Master said: "I am not one who was born with knowledge, but one who loves antiquity and earnestly seeks it there. I am not one who is reluctant to make changes in himself, but one who is anxious to learn from others to improve himself. When I have heard much and have sorted out the good, I follow it. When I have seen much and have recognized the truth, I pursue it."