Analects 12.1 · Yan Yuan
“Do not look at what violates ritual propriety; do not listen to it, speak it, or act upon it.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
非禮勿視 非禮勿聽 非禮勿言 非禮勿動 (fēi lǐ wù shì, fēi lǐ wù tīng, fēi lǐ wù yán, fēi lǐ wù dòng) means “Do not look at what violates ritual propriety; do not listen to it, speak it, or act upon it.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 12 (Yan Yuan), Chapter 1.
非禮勿視 非禮勿聽 非禮勿言 非禮勿動
- Pinyin
- fēi lǐ wù shì, fēi lǐ wù tīng, fēi lǐ wù yán, fēi lǐ wù dòng
- Translation
- Do not look at what violates ritual propriety; do not listen to it, speak it, or act upon it.
- Source
- Analects, Book 12 (Yan Yuan), Chapter 1
What does this passage mean?
This passage in the opening section of the Yan Yuan chapter gives concrete instructions for overcoming oneself and returning to ritual propriety. When Yan Yuan asks for the details, Confucius replies: 非禮勿視, do not look at what violates ritual propriety; 非禮勿聽, do not listen to it; 非禮勿言, do not say it; and 非禮勿動, do not act on it. He makes ritual propriety the standard across everything we see, hear, say, and do. The four injunctions encompass all human perception and action, teaching us to make every moment of life an opportunity for self-cultivation.
How can we apply it today?
In a modern world overflowing with information and stimulation, choosing what we see, hear, say, and do is an essential form of self-management. We expose ourselves defenselessly to provocative content, listen to gossip and misinformation, speak without thinking, and act on impulse. In modern terms, Confucius's four prohibitions are principles of media literacy and self-control. Overcoming oneself and returning to ritual propriety begins by asking at every moment, 'Does this accord with ritual propriety?'
Questions to reflect on
- ·What do I see, hear, say, and do each day?
- ·When have I failed to restrain myself in these four areas?
- ·Have I experienced the power of choosing not to do something?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 非 | fēi | not | 8 | 非 (wrong) |
| 禮 | lǐ | ritual propriety | 18 | 示 (spirit) |
| 勿 | wù | do not | 4 | 勹 (wrap) |
| 視 | shì | see | 11 | 見 (see) |
| 非 | fēi | not | 8 | 非 (wrong) |
| 禮 | lǐ | ritual propriety | 18 | 示 (spirit) |
| 勿 | wù | do not | 4 | 勹 (wrap) |
| 聽 | tīng | hear | 22 | 耳 (ear) |
| 非 | fēi | not | 8 | 非 (wrong) |
| 禮 | lǐ | ritual propriety | 18 | 示 (spirit) |
| 勿 | wù | do not | 4 | 勹 (wrap) |
| 言 | yán | speech | 7 | 言 (speech) |
| 非 | fēi | not | 8 | 非 (wrong) |
| 禮 | lǐ | ritual propriety | 18 | 示 (spirit) |
| 勿 | wù | do not | 4 | 勹 (wrap) |
| 動 | dòng | move | 11 | 力 (power) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Do not look at what violates ritual…” mean?
非禮勿視 非禮勿聽 非禮勿言 非禮勿動 (fēi lǐ wù shì, fēi lǐ wù tīng, fēi lǐ wù yán, fēi lǐ wù dòng) means “Do not look at what violates ritual propriety; do not listen to it, speak it, or act upon it.” It comes from the Analects, Book 12 (Yan Yuan), Chapter 1.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 12.1: Book 12 (Yan Yuan), Chapter 1.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
In a modern world overflowing with information and stimulation, choosing what we see, hear, say, and do is an essential form of self-management.