Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Translation - Analects 2.4 I set my heart on learning.


子曰:「吾十有五而志于學,三十而立,四十而不惑,五十而知天命,六十而耳順,七十而從心所欲,不踰矩。」

Zǐ yuē:`Wú shí yǒu wǔ ér zhì yú xué, sānshí érlì, sìshí ér bùhuò, wǔshí ér zhī tiānmìng, liùshí ér ěrshùn, qīshí ér cóngxīnsuǒyù, bù yú jǔ.'

The Master said: "At fifteen I determined (set my will) to study; at thirty I was upright (independent); at forty [I had] no doubts; at fifty I knew I knew heaven's commands; at sixty my ear was obedient; at seventy I could follow the desires of the heart-mind without exceeding the rules."

志 zhì purpose, will, determination
立 lì stand; erect, raise; establish, found; fix, set; determine, decide; become indepdent
惑 huò confuse, mislead, baffle; doubt
命 mìng order, command; written command; will of heaven; fate; lifespan
順 shùn obey, submit, go along with
欲 yù desire, want, long for; intend
踰 yú exceed, transgress; cross over
矩 jǔ carpenter's square, ruler; rule

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