The Original Quote:
子曰：“自行束脩以上，吾未尝无诲焉。”
Zǐ yuē: “Zì xíng shù xiū yǐ shàng, wú wèi cháng wú huì yān.”
English Translation:
"For those who come of their own accord bearing a gift of dried meat (束脩, shù xiū) or more, I have never withheld my instruction."
Key Concepts Explained:
- Rite (礼, Lǐ): The proper form and ritual that embody sincerity and respect. Here, the gift is not a fee but a ceremonial token of the student's earnest intent.
- Humaneness (仁, Rén): The core Confucian virtue of benevolence and moral character. The Master's openness to teach reflects his commitment to cultivating this in all who sincerely seek it.
- Teaching without Discrimination (有教无类, Yǒu Jiào Wú Lèi): A foundational principle that education should be open to all, regardless of social status or wealth, provided they show genuine desire to learn.
Cultural Context:
In Confucius's time, dried meat (束脩, shù xiū) was a common, modest gift symbolizing respect and ritual propriety (礼, Lǐ). This passage clarifies that Confucius did not charge tuition but valued the gesture as proof of a student's sincere commitment to learning. Later misinterpretations by some teachers, who used this to justify demanding gifts, distort the original intent: the focus was on the student's attitude, not the material value. This teaching underscores the ideal of education as a moral calling, where the teacher's role is to guide the worthy, not to seek personal gain.