Analects 2.10 · Wei Zheng
“Look at what a person does, examine the motives behind it, and observe what brings that person peace. How could anyone remain hidden?”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
視其所以 觀其所由 察其所安 人焉廋哉 (shì qí suǒ yǐ, guān qí suǒ yóu, chá qí suǒ ān, rén yān sōu zāi) means “Look at what a person does, examine the motives behind it, and observe what brings that person peace. How could anyone remain hidden?” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 10.
視其所以 觀其所由 察其所安 人焉廋哉
- Pinyin
- shì qí suǒ yǐ, guān qí suǒ yóu, chá qí suǒ ān, rén yān sōu zāi
- Translation
- Look at what a person does, examine the motives behind it, and observe what brings that person peace. How could anyone remain hidden?
- Source
- Analects, Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 10
What does this passage mean?
This passage from the Wei Zheng chapter proposes three ways to understand a person. 視其所以 means observing what a person does; 觀其所由 means examining the motives and path behind those actions; and 察其所安 means seeing what puts the person at ease—what gives that person genuine satisfaction. 廋 means to conceal. By understanding someone on the three levels of action, motive, and values, we can discern that person's essential character.
How can we apply it today?
Judging people is always difficult, whether in an interview, the choice of a partner, or an ordinary relationship. Confucius's three-stage method of observation is strikingly modern. First, look at what the person does—the action. Second, ask why it is done—the motive. Third, observe what the person truly feels at ease doing—the underlying nature. A person's real character appears not in the image presented on social media but in what that person does alone.
Questions to reflect on
- ·When judging someone, do I rely only on outward appearances?
- ·What truly puts me at ease, and what do I genuinely enjoy?
- ·If I examine myself by these three standards, what kind of person do I see?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 視 | shì | see | 11 | 見 (see) |
| 其 | qí | that; he | 8 | 八 (eight) |
| 所 | suǒ | that which | 8 | 戶 (door) |
| 以 | yǐ | by means of | 5 | 人 (person) |
| 觀 | guān | see | 25 | 見 (see) |
| 其 | qí | that; he | 8 | 八 (eight) |
| 所 | suǒ | that which | 8 | 戶 (door) |
| 由 | yóu | proceed from | 5 | 田 (field) |
| 察 | chá | examine | 14 | 宀 (roof) |
| 其 | qí | that; he | 8 | 八 (eight) |
| 所 | suǒ | that which | 8 | 戶 (door) |
| 安 | ān | peaceful | 6 | 宀 (roof) |
| 人 | rén | person | 2 | 人 (person) |
| 焉 | yān | grammatical particle | 11 | 火 (fire) |
| 廋 | sōu | hide | 13 | 广 (dotted cliff) |
| 哉 | zāi | grammatical particle | 9 | 口 (mouth) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Look at what a person does, examine the…” mean?
視其所以 觀其所由 察其所安 人焉廋哉 (shì qí suǒ yǐ, guān qí suǒ yóu, chá qí suǒ ān, rén yān sōu zāi) means “Look at what a person does, examine the motives behind it, and observe what brings that person peace. How could anyone remain hidden?” It comes from the Analects, Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 10.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 2.10: Book 2 (Wei Zheng), Chapter 10.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
Judging people is always difficult, whether in an interview, the choice of a partner, or an ordinary relationship.Confucius's three-stage method of observation is strikingly modern.