Analects 13.16 · Zi Lu
“Make those nearby happy, and those far away will come.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
近者說 遠者來 (jìn zhě yuè, yuǎn zhě lái) means “Make those nearby happy, and those far away will come.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 13 (Zi Lu), Chapter 16.
近者說 遠者來
- Pinyin
- jìn zhě yuè, yuǎn zhě lái
- Translation
- Make those nearby happy, and those far away will come.
- Source
- Analects, Book 13 (Zi Lu), Chapter 16
What does this passage mean?
Those nearby rejoice means that the local people are content, while those far away come means that outsiders hear of it and are drawn there. This is another part of Confucius’s answer when Zixia asked how to govern Jufu. The measure of good government is not grand display. If the people already near at hand are satisfied, word spreads and people come even from afar.
How can we apply it today?
The same principle operates in business. Satisfied existing customers spread the word and bring new customers. A company that focuses only on acquisition while neglecting current customers is pouring water into a leaking vessel. Personal relationships work the same way: care well for those close to you, and healthy relationships naturally widen. Give sincerity first to the person beside you, not to a distant network.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Are the people closest to you happy in their relationship with you?
- ·Have you neglected established relationships while pursuing new ones?
- ·Does the happiness of those around you feel more important than opportunities far away?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 近 | jìn | near | 7 | 辵 (walk) |
| 者 | zhě | person | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 說 | yuè | joyful | 14 | 言 (speech) |
| 遠 | yuǎn | far | 13 | 辵 (walk) |
| 者 | zhě | person | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 來 | lái | come | 8 | 人 (person) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Make those nearby happy, and those far away…” mean?
近者說 遠者來 (jìn zhě yuè, yuǎn zhě lái) means “Make those nearby happy, and those far away will come.” It comes from the Analects, Book 13 (Zi Lu), Chapter 16.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 13.16: Book 13 (Zi Lu), Chapter 16.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
The same principle operates in business.Satisfied existing customers spread the word and bring new customers.