Analects 7.6 · Shu Er
“Set your purpose on the Way, ground yourself in virtue, rely on humaneness, and find recreation in the arts.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
志於道 據於德 依於仁 游於藝 (zhì yú dào, jù yú dé, yī yú rén, yóu yú yì) means “Set your purpose on the Way, ground yourself in virtue, rely on humaneness, and find recreation in the arts.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 6.
志於道 據於德 依於仁 游於藝
- Pinyin
- zhì yú dào, jù yú dé, yī yú rén, yóu yú yì
- Translation
- Set your purpose on the Way, ground yourself in virtue, rely on humaneness, and find recreation in the arts.
- Source
- Analects, Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 6
What does this passage mean?
This passage presents four pillars of an ideal life. The Way is ultimate truth, virtue is moral character, humaneness is loving care, and the arts are practical disciplines such as ritual propriety, music, archery, charioteering, writing, and mathematics. In Shu Er, Confucius calls for a balance of spiritual direction, moral foundation, emotional grounding, and practical ability.
How can we apply it today?
These four pillars remain useful today: choose a direction for life, refine your character, cultivate love and relationships, and develop practical competence. A life devoted only to money, only to study, or only to harmonious relationships becomes unbalanced. The rich life Confucius describes balances work and living, growth and relationship, ideal and reality.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Which is most lacking in your life: the Way, virtue, humaneness, or practical skill?
- ·Are your life purpose and practical abilities in balance?
- ·What do you do to cultivate an emotionally rich life?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 志 | zhì | intention | 7 | 心 (heart) |
| 於 | yú | at; in | 8 | 方 (square) |
| 道 | dào | the Way; road | 13 | 辵 (walk) |
| 據 | jù | rely on | 16 | 手 (hand) |
| 於 | yú | at; in | 8 | 方 (square) |
| 德 | dé | virtue | 15 | 彳 (step) |
| 依 | yī | depend on | 8 | 人 (person) |
| 於 | yú | at; in | 8 | 方 (square) |
| 仁 | rén | benevolent | 4 | 人 (person) |
| 游 | yóu | roam | 12 | 水 (water) |
| 於 | yú | at; in | 8 | 方 (square) |
| 藝 | yì | ability | 19 | 艸 (grass) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Set your purpose on the Way, ground…” mean?
志於道 據於德 依於仁 游於藝 (zhì yú dào, jù yú dé, yī yú rén, yóu yú yì) means “Set your purpose on the Way, ground yourself in virtue, rely on humaneness, and find recreation in the arts.” It comes from the Analects, Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 6.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 7.6: Book 7 (Shu Er), Chapter 6.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
These four pillars remain useful today: choose a direction for life, refine your character, cultivate love and relationships, and develop practical competence.