Analects 6.30 · Yong Ye
“In seeking to establish yourself, help others establish themselves; in seeking to succeed, help others succeed.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
己欲立而立人 己欲達而達人 (jǐ yù lì ér lì rén, jǐ yù dá ér dá rén) means “In seeking to establish yourself, help others establish themselves; in seeking to succeed, help others succeed.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 6 (Yong Ye), Chapter 30.
己欲立而立人 己欲達而達人
- Pinyin
- jǐ yù lì ér lì rén, jǐ yù dá ér dá rén
- Translation
- In seeking to establish yourself, help others establish themselves; in seeking to succeed, help others succeed.
- Source
- Analects, Book 6 (Yong Ye), Chapter 30
What does this passage mean?
Confucius offers this as a concrete way to practice humaneness. To establish means to become self-supporting, while to attain means to reach fulfillment or success. He gave this answer in Yong Ye when Zigong asked about humaneness. Its premise is that others desire what we desire and that our success is connected with theirs. This is the active practice of humaneness. “Do not impose on others what you do not desire” states the restraint negatively; this passage states the positive duty.
How can we apply it today?
The modern business phrase “win-win” may come to mind, but Confucius’s teaching goes deeper than a mutually profitable exchange. It asks us to sincerely support another person’s growth through mentoring, developing junior colleagues, and helping peers. Enabling others to succeed ultimately enlarges our own world. Those determined to prosper alone often end up alone; those who seek shared growth create a larger world.
Questions to reflect on
- ·When have you sincerely helped someone else grow?
- ·Have you considered how your success and another person’s success might be connected?
- ·Have you thanked someone who helped you become established?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 己 | jǐ | oneself | 3 | 己 (self) |
| 欲 | yù | wish to | 11 | 欠 (lack) |
| 立 | lì | stand | 5 | 立 (stand) |
| 而 | ér | and; but | 6 | 而 (and) |
| 立 | lì | establish | 5 | 立 (stand) |
| 人 | rén | person | 2 | 人 (person) |
| 己 | jǐ | oneself | 3 | 己 (self) |
| 欲 | yù | wish to | 11 | 欠 (lack) |
| 達 | dá | master | 13 | 辵 (walk) |
| 而 | ér | and; but | 6 | 而 (and) |
| 達 | dá | master | 13 | 辵 (walk) |
| 人 | rén | person | 2 | 人 (person) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “In seeking to establish yourself, help…” mean?
己欲立而立人 己欲達而達人 (jǐ yù lì ér lì rén, jǐ yù dá ér dá rén) means “In seeking to establish yourself, help others establish themselves; in seeking to succeed, help others succeed.” It comes from the Analects, Book 6 (Yong Ye), Chapter 30.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 6.30: Book 6 (Yong Ye), Chapter 30.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
The modern business phrase “win-win” may come to mind, but Confucius’s teaching goes deeper than a mutually profitable exchange.