Analects 2.18 · Wei Zheng
“Hear much, set aside what is doubtful, and speak cautiously of the rest, and you will make few mistakes. See much, set aside what is risky, and act cautiously on the rest, and you will have few regrets.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
多聞闕疑 慎言其餘 則寡尤 多見闕殆 慎行其餘 則寡悔 (duō wén quē yí, shèn yán qí yú, zé guǎ yóu, duō jiàn quē dài, shèn xíng qí yú, zé guǎ huǐ) means “Hear much, set aside what is doubtful, and speak cautiously of the rest, and you will make few mistakes. See much, set aside what is risky, and act cautiously on the rest, and you will have few regrets.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 18.
多聞闕疑 慎言其餘 則寡尤 多見闕殆 慎行其餘 則寡悔
- Pinyin
- duō wén quē yí, shèn yán qí yú, zé guǎ yóu, duō jiàn quē dài, shèn xíng qí yú, zé guǎ huǐ
- Translation
- Hear much, set aside what is doubtful, and speak cautiously of the rest, and you will make few mistakes. See much, set aside what is risky, and act cautiously on the rest, and you will have few regrets.
- Source
- Analects, Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 18
What does this passage mean?
In the eighteenth chapter of Wei Zheng, the disciple Zizhang asks how to obtain an official post, and this is the reply. Zizhang was keenly interested in advancement, but instead of tips on securing a position, Confucius teaches him to refine his words and actions. To set aside the doubtful means to leave uncertain matters alone; to set aside the risky means to leave perilous ones alone. Hear much and see much, but do not speak or act carelessly on what is unconfirmed. Then blame from others and regret in oneself both diminish. Confucius adds that a salary lies within such conduct: when the bearing is right, the position follows.
How can we apply it today?
This passage reads well as a guide to conduct in an age of information overload. Hearing and seeing widely is necessary. But passing on unverified rumors or deciding on unchecked information always exacts a price. Not pretending to know in a meeting, holding back claims with weak evidence, stepping away from ventures that show signs of danger: such restraint looks passive, yet it is what people with long careers have in common. A life with few reproaches and few regrets comes less from talent than from these habits.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Have you recently stated something uncertain as if it were certain?
- ·When you encounter information, are you able to suspend judgment?
- ·Are the things you regret mostly the result of speaking or acting too quickly?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 多 | duō | many | 6 | 夕 (evening) |
| 聞 | wén | hear | 14 | 耳 (ear) |
| 闕 | quē | leave aside | 18 | 門 (gate) |
| 疑 | yí | doubt | 14 | 疋 (bolt of cloth) |
| 慎 | shèn | be cautious | 14 | 心 (heart) |
| 言 | yán | speech | 7 | 言 (speech) |
| 其 | qí | that; he | 8 | 八 (eight) |
| 餘 | yú | remainder | 16 | 食 (eat) |
| 則 | zé | then; immediately | 9 | 刀 (knife) |
| 寡 | guǎ | few | 14 | 宀 (roof) |
| 尤 | yóu | blame | 4 | 尢 (lame) |
| 多 | duō | many | 6 | 夕 (evening) |
| 見 | jiàn | see | 7 | 見 (see) |
| 闕 | quē | leave aside | 18 | 門 (gate) |
| 殆 | dài | perilous | 9 | 歹 (death) |
| 慎 | shèn | be cautious | 14 | 心 (heart) |
| 行 | xíng | practice | 6 | 行 (walk) |
| 其 | qí | that; he | 8 | 八 (eight) |
| 餘 | yú | remainder | 16 | 食 (eat) |
| 則 | zé | then; immediately | 9 | 刀 (knife) |
| 寡 | guǎ | few | 14 | 宀 (roof) |
| 悔 | huǐ | regret | 10 | 心 (heart) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Hear much, set aside what is doubtful, and…” mean?
多聞闕疑 慎言其餘 則寡尤 多見闕殆 慎行其餘 則寡悔 (duō wén quē yí, shèn yán qí yú, zé guǎ yóu, duō jiàn quē dài, shèn xíng qí yú, zé guǎ huǐ) means “Hear much, set aside what is doubtful, and speak cautiously of the rest, and you will make few mistakes. See much, set aside what is risky, and act cautiously on the rest, and you will have few regrets.” It comes from the Analects, Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 18.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 2.18: Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 18.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
This passage reads well as a guide to conduct in an age of information overload.Hearing and seeing widely is necessary.