Analects 1.10 · Xue Er
“The Master obtains it by being gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and deferential.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
夫子溫良恭儉讓以得之 (fū zǐ wēn liáng gōng jiǎn ràng yǐ dé zhī) means “The Master obtains it by being gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and deferential.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 1 (Xue Er), Chapter 10.
夫子溫良恭儉讓以得之
- Pinyin
- fū zǐ wēn liáng gōng jiǎn ràng yǐ dé zhī
- Translation
- The Master obtains it by being gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and deferential.
- Source
- Analects, Book 1 (Xue Er), Chapter 10
What does this passage mean?
In the tenth chapter of Xue Er, the disciple Ziqin asks Zigong how the Master comes to hear about the government of every state he visits: does he seek the information, or do people offer it? Zigong answers that the Master obtains it through five qualities: gentleness, kindness, respectfulness, frugality, and deference. He does not pry or ask for favors as others do; his very character inspires trust, so people open their hearts to him first. These five characters later became a standard summary of the personality of Confucius.
How can we apply it today?
Information and opportunity often refuse to come when demanded. People confide in those they trust and extend offers to those they want to work with. A gentle manner, consideration for others, an unostentatious life, and the modesty to share credit build trust slowly but surely. In an age of résumés and self-promotion, Zigong’s answer points to a different path: rather than striving to obtain, become someone worth entrusting. The doors of human relationships are usually opened from the inside, not forced from without.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Which of the five qualities do you lack most?
- ·Do people open up to you before you ask?
- ·Do you spend more effort trying to obtain things or trying to become someone worthy of them?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 夫 | fū | man | 4 | 大 (big) |
| 子 | zǐ | teacher | 3 | 子 (child) |
| 溫 | wēn | warm | 13 | 水 (water) |
| 良 | liáng | kind | 7 | 艮 (stopping) |
| 恭 | gōng | courteous | 10 | 心 (heart) |
| 儉 | jiǎn | frugal | 15 | 人 (person) |
| 讓 | ràng | yield | 20 | 言 (speech) |
| 以 | yǐ | by means of | 5 | 人 (person) |
| 得 | dé | obtain | 11 | 彳 (step) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “The Master obtains it by being gentle…” mean?
夫子溫良恭儉讓以得之 (fū zǐ wēn liáng gōng jiǎn ràng yǐ dé zhī) means “The Master obtains it by being gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and deferential.” It comes from the Analects, Book 1 (Xue Er), Chapter 10.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 1.10: Book 1 (Xue Er), Chapter 10.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
Information and opportunity often refuse to come when demanded.People confide in those they trust and extend offers to those they want to work with.