Analects 11.16 · Xian Jin
“Going too far is no better than falling short.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
過猶不及 (guò yóu bù jí) means “Going too far is no better than falling short.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 11 (Xian Jin), Chapter 16.
過猶不及
- Pinyin
- guò yóu bù jí
- Translation
- Going too far is no better than falling short.
- Source
- Analects, Book 11 (Xian Jin), Chapter 16
What does this passage mean?
This exceptionally concise passage from Xian Jin contains a profound lesson. Zigong asked Confucius whether Shi or Shang was the better disciple. Confucius answered that Shi went too far while Shang fell short. When Zigong asked whether that made Shi better, Confucius replied with these words. Excess and deficiency are equally problematic; this is a central principle of the balanced mean.
How can we apply it today?
Perfectionism in excess can prevent us from doing anything, just as confidence in excess becomes arrogance. Too much frugality becomes stinginess, and too much kindness can erase the self. Exercise, study, and work all have an appropriate degree. In a culture that demands more and faster, we need a sense of what is enough. Balance and restraint are the wisdom of this saying.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Where in your life have you gone too far?
- ·How do you decide what is enough?
- ·In what area do you feel that you are losing balance?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 過 | guò | pass | 13 | 辵 (walk) |
| 猶 | yóu | still; yet | 12 | 犬 (dog) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 及 | jí | reach | 4 | 又 (again) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Going too far is no better than falling…” mean?
過猶不及 (guò yóu bù jí) means “Going too far is no better than falling short.” It comes from the Analects, Book 11 (Xian Jin), Chapter 16.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 11.16: Book 11 (Xian Jin), Chapter 16.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
Perfectionism in excess can prevent us from doing anything, just as confidence in excess becomes arrogance.Too much frugality becomes stinginess, and too much kindness can erase the self.