Analects 7.11 · Shu Er
“When employed, put your principles into practice; when set aside, preserve them in retirement.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
用之則行 舍之則藏 (yòng zhī zé xíng, shě zhī zé cáng) means “When employed, put your principles into practice; when set aside, preserve them in retirement.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 11.
用之則行 舍之則藏
- Pinyin
- yòng zhī zé xíng, shě zhī zé cáng
- Translation
- When employed, put your principles into practice; when set aside, preserve them in retirement.
- Source
- Analects, Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 11
What does this passage mean?
In the Shu Er chapter, Confucius says this to Yan Hui. 用之則行 means stepping forward to practice the Way when the world employs one; 舍之則藏 means withdrawing into obscurity when it does not. This expresses Confucius's philosophy of engagement and withdrawal. The attitude of an exemplary person is to understand the right time and wait to be of use without becoming attached to recognition. By saying that only he and Yan Hui possessed this attitude, Confucius expresses his deep trust in his disciple.
How can we apply it today?
Self-promotion and assertive expression can seem indispensable in modern society, yet there are times when wisdom means stepping back and waiting. We need the flexibility to withdraw decisively when circumstances are wrong despite our ability, and to step forward without hesitation when the opportunity arrives. This is both wisdom in reading circumstances and the composure born of self-confidence. Preparing and waiting can be a strategy, too, rather than trying impatiently to manufacture an opportunity.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Can I distinguish the time to advance from the time to withdraw?
- ·When no opportunity comes, do I use the time to refine myself rather than growing anxious?
- ·Can I accept withdrawal as a strategy rather than a defeat?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 用 | yòng | use | 5 | 用 (use) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
| 則 | zé | then; immediately | 9 | 刀 (knife) |
| 行 | xíng | practice | 6 | 行 (walk) |
| 舍 | shě | abandon | 8 | 舌 (tongue) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
| 則 | zé | then; immediately | 9 | 刀 (knife) |
| 藏 | cáng | hide | 18 | 艸 (grass) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “When employed, put your principles into…” mean?
用之則行 舍之則藏 (yòng zhī zé xíng, shě zhī zé cáng) means “When employed, put your principles into practice; when set aside, preserve them in retirement.” It comes from the Analects, Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 11.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 7.11: Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 11.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
Self-promotion and assertive expression can seem indispensable in modern society, yet there are times when wisdom means stepping back and waiting.