Analects 14.12 · Xian Wen
“Seeing profit, think of what is right; seeing danger, be ready to give your life; and never forget the words of a promise made long ago.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
見利思義 見危授命 久要不忘平生之言 (jiàn lì sī yì, jiàn wēi shòu mìng, jiǔ yāo bù wàng píng shēng zhī yán) means “Seeing profit, think of what is right; seeing danger, be ready to give your life; and never forget the words of a promise made long ago.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 14 (Xian Wen), Chapter 12.
見利思義 見危授命 久要不忘平生之言
- Pinyin
- jiàn lì sī yì, jiàn wēi shòu mìng, jiǔ yāo bù wàng píng shēng zhī yán
- Translation
- Seeing profit, think of what is right; seeing danger, be ready to give your life; and never forget the words of a promise made long ago.
- Source
- Analects, Book 14 (Xian Wen), Chapter 12
What does this passage mean?
In the twelfth chapter of Xian Wen, Zilu asks about the complete person, and this is part of the reply. Confucius first describes someone who combines wisdom, freedom from desire, courage, and skill, refined by ritual and music, then says that the complete person of today need not be all that, and names three things: seeing profit, think of what is right; seeing danger, be ready to give your life; and never forget the words of a promise made long ago. The phrase ‘seeing profit, think of what is right’ is widely known in Korea through the calligraphy of the patriot An Jung-geun. The standard of a complete character is set not by special talent but by one’s bearing before three tests: profit, danger, and promises.
How can we apply it today?
A person’s true nature shows in three moments: when profit is in front of them, when danger strikes, and when an old promise must be kept. In ordinary times everyone is a decent person. But many forget their principles when big money is at stake, slip away first when a crisis comes, and let promises fade with the years. The complete person Confucius describes is the one who passes these three tests. Perfect talent is not required. Thinking once more before profit, not running from danger, and remembering an old promise: these are the conditions of adulthood.
Questions to reflect on
- ·When profit is in front of you, do you think first of what is right?
- ·When a crisis strikes, do you step forward or slip back?
- ·Is there an old promise you have not yet kept?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 見 | jiàn | see | 7 | 見 (see) |
| 利 | lì | beneficial | 7 | 刀 (knife) |
| 思 | sī | think | 9 | 心 (heart) |
| 義 | yì | right | 13 | 羊 (sheep) |
| 見 | jiàn | see | 7 | 見 (see) |
| 危 | wēi | danger | 6 | 卩 (seal) |
| 授 | shòu | give up; hand over | 11 | 手 (hand) |
| 命 | mìng | life; command | 8 | 口 (mouth) |
| 久 | jiǔ | long | 3 | 丿 (slash) |
| 要 | yāo | pledge | 9 | 襾 (cover) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 忘 | wàng | forget | 7 | 心 (heart) |
| 平 | píng | level; peaceful | 5 | 干 (dry) |
| 生 | shēng | life | 5 | 生 (life) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
| 言 | yán | speech | 7 | 言 (speech) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Seeing profit, think of what is right…” mean?
見利思義 見危授命 久要不忘平生之言 (jiàn lì sī yì, jiàn wēi shòu mìng, jiǔ yāo bù wàng píng shēng zhī yán) means “Seeing profit, think of what is right; seeing danger, be ready to give your life; and never forget the words of a promise made long ago.” It comes from the Analects, Book 14 (Xian Wen), Chapter 12.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 14.12: Book 14 (Xian Wen), Chapter 12.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
A person’s true nature shows in three moments: when profit is in front of them, when danger strikes, and when an old promise must be kept.In ordinary times everyone is a decent person.