Analects 13.3 · Zi Lu
“If names are not correct, words do not accord with reality; if words do not accord with reality, affairs cannot succeed.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
名不正則言不順 言不順則事不成 (míng bù zhèng zé yán bù shùn, yán bù shùn zé shì bù chéng) means “If names are not correct, words do not accord with reality; if words do not accord with reality, affairs cannot succeed.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 13 (Zi Lu), Chapter 3.
名不正則言不順 言不順則事不成
- Pinyin
- míng bù zhèng zé yán bù shùn, yán bù shùn zé shì bù chéng
- Translation
- If names are not correct, words do not accord with reality; if words do not accord with reality, affairs cannot succeed.
- Source
- Analects, Book 13 (Zi Lu), Chapter 3
What does this passage mean?
In Zi Lu, names refer to proper designations and the roles things rightly occupy. If names are not correct, speech ceases to accord with principle; if speech does not accord, affairs cannot succeed. When Zilu asked what Confucius would do first if given responsibility in Wei, Confucius answered that he would correct names. Every undertaking begins by setting its concepts and principles straight.
How can we apply it today?
When roles and responsibilities are unclear in an organization, communication fails, and when communication fails, results suffer. The modern rectification of names means defining a project’s goal and scope before it begins, clarifying each team member’s role, and agreeing on what key terms mean. The first step in solving a problem is defining it accurately.
Questions to reflect on
- ·What in your life or work may be operating under an incorrect name or role?
- ·Have unclear responsibilities caused you difficulty?
- ·Do you make a habit of defining a problem precisely?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 名 | míng | name | 6 | 口 (mouth) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 正 | zhèng | upright | 5 | 止 (stop) |
| 則 | zé | then; immediately | 9 | 刀 (knife) |
| 言 | yán | speech | 7 | 言 (speech) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 順 | shùn | compliant | 12 | 頁 (leaf) |
| 言 | yán | speech | 7 | 言 (speech) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 順 | shùn | compliant | 12 | 頁 (leaf) |
| 則 | zé | then; immediately | 9 | 刀 (knife) |
| 事 | shì | affair | 8 | 亅 (hook) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 成 | chéng | accomplish | 7 | 戈 (halberd) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “If names are not correct, words do not…” mean?
名不正則言不順 言不順則事不成 (míng bù zhèng zé yán bù shùn, yán bù shùn zé shì bù chéng) means “If names are not correct, words do not accord with reality; if words do not accord with reality, affairs cannot succeed.” It comes from the Analects, Book 13 (Zi Lu), Chapter 3.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 13.3: Book 13 (Zi Lu), Chapter 3.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
When roles and responsibilities are unclear in an organization, communication fails, and when communication fails, results suffer.