Analects 8.5 · Tai Bo
“Though capable, ask those who are less capable; though learned, ask those who know less. Possess yet seem to lack, be full yet seem empty, and do not retaliate when offended.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
以能問於不能 以多問於寡 有若無 實若虛 犯而不校 (yǐ néng wèn yú bù néng, yǐ duō wèn yú guǎ, yǒu ruò wú, shí ruò xū, fàn ér bù jiào) means “Though capable, ask those who are less capable; though learned, ask those who know less. Possess yet seem to lack, be full yet seem empty, and do not retaliate when offended.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 5.
以能問於不能 以多問於寡 有若無 實若虛 犯而不校
- Pinyin
- yǐ néng wèn yú bù néng, yǐ duō wèn yú guǎ, yǒu ruò wú, shí ruò xū, fàn ér bù jiào
- Translation
- Though capable, ask those who are less capable; though learned, ask those who know less. Possess yet seem to lack, be full yet seem empty, and do not retaliate when offended.
- Source
- Analects, Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 5
What does this passage mean?
In this passage from the Tai Bo chapter, Zengzi praises Yan Hui's virtue. Though capable, he asked those who were not; though learned, he questioned those who knew little. He seemed to lack even when he possessed, and to be empty even when full; when others wronged him, he did not retaliate. This describes Yan Hui's humility and generosity. In 犯而不校, 校 means contending or retaliating, and the phrase conveys the tolerance not to repay another's offense.
How can we apply it today?
Humility is the mark of genuine ability. The more truly knowledgeable people are, the more questions they ask; those who are genuinely wealthy do not flaunt it; those who are genuinely strong show generosity toward the weak. In a meeting, the person who listens quietly and asks questions may in fact possess greater depth than the person who speaks as though knowing everything. Emptying oneself—humbly approaching even what one knows as though one did not—is among the most difficult and elevated states.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Have I ever sought something to learn from a person less experienced than I?
- ·Do I feel tempted to display what I know?
- ·When someone wrongs me, can I let it pass without demanding an accounting?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 以 | yǐ | by means of | 5 | 人 (person) |
| 能 | néng | capable | 10 | 肉 (meat) |
| 問 | wèn | ask | 11 | 口 (mouth) |
| 於 | yú | at; in | 8 | 方 (square) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 能 | néng | capable | 10 | 肉 (meat) |
| 以 | yǐ | by means of | 5 | 人 (person) |
| 多 | duō | many | 6 | 夕 (evening) |
| 問 | wèn | ask | 11 | 口 (mouth) |
| 於 | yú | at; in | 8 | 方 (square) |
| 寡 | guǎ | few | 14 | 宀 (roof) |
| 有 | yǒu | exist | 6 | 月 (moon) |
| 若 | ruò | same; like | 8 | 艸 (grass) |
| 無 | wú | lack | 12 | 火 (fire) |
| 實 | shí | fruit; reality | 14 | 宀 (roof) |
| 若 | ruò | same; like | 8 | 艸 (grass) |
| 虛 | xū | empty | 12 | 虍 (tiger) |
| 犯 | fàn | offend | 5 | 犬 (dog) |
| 而 | ér | and; but | 6 | 而 (and) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 校 | jiào | retaliate; contend | 10 | 木 (tree) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Though capable, ask those who are less…” mean?
以能問於不能 以多問於寡 有若無 實若虛 犯而不校 (yǐ néng wèn yú bù néng, yǐ duō wèn yú guǎ, yǒu ruò wú, shí ruò xū, fàn ér bù jiào) means “Though capable, ask those who are less capable; though learned, ask those who know less. Possess yet seem to lack, be full yet seem empty, and do not retaliate when offended.” It comes from the Analects, Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 5.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 8.5: Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 5.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
Humility is the mark of genuine ability.