Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Analects, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Self-Restraint
Honesty and Integrity
The Individual vs. The Collective
Self-Mastery, Discipline, and Improvement
Summary
Analysis
When asked what a man must be like before taking office, Confucius says he must be generous without it costing him anything, work hard without complaining, want things without being greedy, be relaxed but not arrogant, and be awe-inspiring without being intimidating. When asked what it means to be generous without it costing him anything, the Master says that he is referring to a man who shares things with the common people that they find beneficial.
Here, the Master highlights the traits that leaders must have to be successful. It seems that he thinks they should prioritize the needs of the common people over everything else and not be driven by ego.
Themes
According to the Master, those in office must not use the death penalty to punish those whom they have not tried to reform. They also must not expect results from the people without giving them time to implement orders.
Confucius’s disapproval of the death penalty likely stems from his belief that people are continually learning, and therefore can always be reformed. This belief also likely comes from his belief in benevolence.
Themes
The Master says that a man cannot become a gentleman if he does not understand Destiny, a man cannot “take his stand” if he does not understand the rites and cannot judge others if he does not understand words.
In this moment, Confucius positions the rites as tools that are integral to any man who wishes to lead a life that is purposeful and impactful on society at large. All of the traits that he has spoken of in the text contribute to the goal of forming productive members of society.
Themes
