Analects 8.9 · Tai Bo
“The people may be guided to follow a course, though they cannot all be made to understand its reasons.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
民可使由之 不可使知之 (mín kě shǐ yóu zhī, bù kě shǐ zhī zhī) means “The people may be guided to follow a course, though they cannot all be made to understand its reasons.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 9.
民可使由之 不可使知之
- Pinyin
- mín kě shǐ yóu zhī, bù kě shǐ zhī zhī
- Translation
- The people may be guided to follow a course, though they cannot all be made to understand its reasons.
- Source
- Analects, Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 9
What does this passage mean?
This is one of the most disputed passages in the Analects. A traditional reading says that the people may be led to follow a course even when every reason cannot be explained to them. A modern people-centered reading says that they should be guided along the Way and must not be left in ignorance. Different punctuation produces sharply different meanings, making the passage philologically fascinating as well.
How can we apply it today?
It is true that a policy or organizational decision cannot always be made perfectly clear to every member. That does not justify giving up on explanation. Transparent communication is essential to modern democracy and organizational life. Leaders should explain the reasons for a decision as fully as possible and seek understanding. The difficulty of communication is never a reason to refuse it.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Have you felt frustrated because you could not understand an organizational decision?
- ·Do you explain the reasons behind your own decisions adequately?
- ·When have you abandoned communication because it felt difficult?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 民 | mín | the people | 5 | 氏 (clan) |
| 可 | kě | right | 5 | 口 (mouth) |
| 使 | shǐ | cause | 8 | 人 (person) |
| 由 | yóu | proceed from | 5 | 田 (field) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 可 | kě | right | 5 | 口 (mouth) |
| 使 | shǐ | cause | 8 | 人 (person) |
| 知 | zhī | know | 8 | 矢 (arrow) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “The people may be guided to follow a…” mean?
民可使由之 不可使知之 (mín kě shǐ yóu zhī, bù kě shǐ zhī zhī) means “The people may be guided to follow a course, though they cannot all be made to understand its reasons.” It comes from the Analects, Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 9.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 8.9: Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 9.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
It is true that a policy or organizational decision cannot always be made perfectly clear to every member.That does not justify giving up on explanation.