Analects 7.22 · Shu Er
“Choose what is good in them and follow it; see what is not good and correct it in yourself.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
擇其善者而從之 其不善者而改之 (zé qí shàn zhě ér cóng zhī, qí bù shàn zhě ér gǎi zhī) means “Choose what is good in them and follow it; see what is not good and correct it in yourself.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 22.
擇其善者而從之 其不善者而改之
- Pinyin
- zé qí shàn zhě ér cóng zhī, qí bù shàn zhě ér gǎi zhī
- Translation
- Choose what is good in them and follow it; see what is not good and correct it in yourself.
- Source
- Analects, Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 22
What does this passage mean?
This sentence follows “When three people walk together, one can surely be my teacher.” Having said that a teacher is present, it explains how to learn. What is good means another person’s strengths, while what is not good means that person’s shortcomings. Follow the strengths of others, and when you see a weakness, examine whether it exists in you and correct it. The teaching is a practical extension of the instruction to emulate the worthy.
How can we apply it today?
In modern organizations that emphasize feedback, this passage captures the right attitude toward giving and receiving it. Benchmark a best practice and draw a lesson from a failed example. Learn from another person’s success rather than envying it; take warning from another person’s failure rather than mocking it. This is how a growth-minded person responds.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Do you consciously try to learn the strengths of people around you?
- ·When you see another person’s mistake, do you look for the same tendency in yourself?
- ·Do you approach people with a desire to learn rather than merely to criticize?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 擇 | zé | select | 16 | 手 (hand) |
| 其 | qí | that; he | 8 | 八 (eight) |
| 善 | shàn | good | 12 | 口 (mouth) |
| 者 | zhě | person | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 而 | ér | and; but | 6 | 而 (and) |
| 從 | cóng | follow | 11 | 彳 (step) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
| 其 | qí | that; he | 8 | 八 (eight) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 善 | shàn | good | 12 | 口 (mouth) |
| 者 | zhě | person | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 而 | ér | and; but | 6 | 而 (and) |
| 改 | gǎi | correct | 7 | 攴 (tap) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Choose what is good in them and follow it…” mean?
擇其善者而從之 其不善者而改之 (zé qí shàn zhě ér cóng zhī, qí bù shàn zhě ér gǎi zhī) means “Choose what is good in them and follow it; see what is not good and correct it in yourself.” It comes from the Analects, Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 22.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 7.22: Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 22.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
In modern organizations that emphasize feedback, this passage captures the right attitude toward giving and receiving it.Benchmark a best practice and draw a lesson from a failed example.