The Original Quote:
子问公叔文子于公明贾曰：“信乎，夫子不言，不笑，不取乎？”公明贾对曰：“以告者过也。夫子时然后言，人不厌其言；乐然后笑，人不厌其笑；义然后取，人不厌其取。”子曰：“其然？岂其然乎？”
Zǐ wèn Gōngshū Wénzǐ yú Gōngmíng Jiǎ yuē: “Xìn hū, fūzǐ bù yán, bù xiào, bù qǔ hū?” Gōngmíng Jiǎ duì yuē: “Yǐ gào zhě guò yě. Fūzǐ shí rán hòu yán, rén bù yàn qí yán; lè rán hòu xiào, rén bù yàn qí xiào; yì rán hòu qǔ, rén bù yàn qí qǔ.” Zǐ yuē: “Qí rán? Qǐ qí rán hū?”
English Translation:
Confucius inquired of Gongming Jia concerning Gongshu Wenzi, saying: “Is it true that this master neither speaks, nor laughs, nor takes anything?” Gongming Jia replied: “Those who told you this have overstated the matter. Our master speaks only when the time is right, and thus men tire not of his words; he laughs only when joy arises, and thus men tire not of his laughter; he takes only when righteousness demands, and thus men tire not of his taking.” The Master remarked: “Is it so? Could it indeed be so?”
Key Concepts Explained:
- Shi (时): Timeliness or the right moment—acting in accordance with the proper occasion, avoiding excess or deficiency.
- Yi (义): Righteousness or moral duty—the principle of taking only what is justly earned, reflecting the Confucian ideal of propriety in action.
- Bu Yan (不厌): Without causing weariness—a state of social harmony where one’s words, expressions, and deeds are so well-timed that they never provoke aversion.
- Zhong Yong (中庸): The Doctrine of the Mean—the philosophical core of balance and moderation, avoiding extremes to achieve harmony in all affairs.
Cultural Context:
This passage from the Analects (Book 14, Chapter 13) illustrates Confucius’s profound respect for the principle of measure in human conduct. Gongshu Wenzi, a Wei nobleman, is praised for his mastery of timing—speaking, laughing, and taking only when appropriate. The exchange reflects the Confucian ideal of zhong yong (中庸), or the Mean, which emphasizes balance and situational wisdom over rigid austerity. In ancient China, such restraint was seen as a mark of moral cultivation, essential for maintaining social order and personal integrity. Confucius’s skeptical final remark—“Is it so? Could it indeed be so?”—adds a layer of humility, suggesting that even the sage acknowledged the rarity of such perfect harmony. This teaching resonates across centuries, offering a timeless guide to navigating speech, emotion, and desire with grace.