Analects 1.14 · Xue Er
“Be diligent in action and cautious in speech.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
敏於事而愼於言 (mǐn yú shì ér shèn yú yán) means “Be diligent in action and cautious in speech.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 1 (Xue Er), Chapter 14.
敏於事而愼於言
- Pinyin
- mǐn yú shì ér shèn yú yán
- Translation
- Be diligent in action and cautious in speech.
- Source
- Analects, Book 1 (Xue Er), Chapter 14
What does this passage mean?
This sentence from Xue Er is part of a description of the exemplary person’s daily conduct. Diligence in affairs means moving promptly in action; caution in speech means speaking with care. Confucius regarded quick action and slow speech as ideal. He warned particularly against words that run ahead of deeds—talk without execution.
How can we apply it today?
The problem of words exceeding actions is severe today: meetings continue without execution, plans multiply without a beginning, and public expression online substitutes for conduct. A quiet person who reliably acts is welcomed everywhere. Think once more before speaking, then quickly carry a considered intention into practice. This is diligence in affairs and caution in speech.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Do your words usually come before your actions, or your actions before your words?
- ·Do you think adequately before speaking?
- ·How quickly do you turn an intention into action?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 敏 | mǐn | quick | 11 | 攴 (tap) |
| 於 | yú | at; in | 8 | 方 (square) |
| 事 | shì | affair | 8 | 亅 (hook) |
| 而 | ér | and; but | 6 | 而 (and) |
| 愼 | shèn | be cautious | 14 | 心 (heart) |
| 於 | yú | at; in | 8 | 方 (square) |
| 言 | yán | speech | 7 | 言 (speech) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Be diligent in action and cautious in…” mean?
敏於事而愼於言 (mǐn yú shì ér shèn yú yán) means “Be diligent in action and cautious in speech.” It comes from the Analects, Book 1 (Xue Er), Chapter 14.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 1.14: Book 1 (Xue Er), Chapter 14.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
The problem of words exceeding actions is severe today: meetings continue without execution, plans multiply without a beginning, and public expression online substitutes for conduct.