Analects 5.26 · Gongye Chang
“Let the old be at ease, let friends trust me, and let the young be cherished.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
老者安之 朋友信之 少者懷之 (lǎo zhě ān zhī, péng yǒu xìn zhī, shào zhě huái zhī) means “Let the old be at ease, let friends trust me, and let the young be cherished.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 5 (Gongye Chang), Chapter 26.
老者安之 朋友信之 少者懷之
- Pinyin
- lǎo zhě ān zhī, péng yǒu xìn zhī, shào zhě huái zhī
- Translation
- Let the old be at ease, let friends trust me, and let the young be cherished.
- Source
- Analects, Book 5 (Gongye Chang), Chapter 26
What does this passage mean?
This passage from Gongye Chang expresses Confucius’s own ideal. When he asked his disciples about their aspirations, Zilu said he would share his possessions and Yan Hui that he would not boast of his accomplishments. Asked in turn about his own wish, Confucius answered that the old should be at ease, friends should trust him, and the young should feel cherished. This was his vision of an ideal society.
How can we apply it today?
It is a vision of harmony and mutual care among generations. Support for the elderly, a society of trust, and encouragement for the young were present in Confucius’s ideal twenty-five centuries ago and remain modern concerns. We can practice the vision personally by respecting older people, being reliable to peers, and encouraging those who follow us. A healthy society is one in which every generation cares for the others.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Do you help older people feel at ease?
- ·Are you trustworthy to your peers?
- ·Do you warmly encourage younger generations?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 老 | lǎo | old | 6 | 老 (old) |
| 者 | zhě | person | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 安 | ān | peaceful | 6 | 宀 (roof) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
| 朋 | péng | friend | 8 | 月 (moon) |
| 友 | yǒu | friend | 4 | 又 (again) |
| 信 | xìn | trust | 9 | 人 (person) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
| 少 | shào | young | 4 | 小 (small) |
| 者 | zhě | person | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 懷 | huái | cherish | 19 | 心 (heart) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Let the old be at ease, let friends trust…” mean?
老者安之 朋友信之 少者懷之 (lǎo zhě ān zhī, péng yǒu xìn zhī, shào zhě huái zhī) means “Let the old be at ease, let friends trust me, and let the young be cherished.” It comes from the Analects, Book 5 (Gongye Chang), Chapter 26.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 5.26: Book 5 (Gongye Chang), Chapter 26.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
It is a vision of harmony and mutual care among generations.