Analects 9.29
The Analects (論語), BOOK IX. TSZE HAN 子罕第九
子曰、可與共學、未可與適道、可與適道、未可與立、可與立、未可與權。
The Master said, "There are some with whom we may study in common, but we shall find them unable to go along with us to principles. Perhaps we may go on with them to principles, but we shall find them unable to get established in those along with us. Or if we may get so established along with them, we shall find them unable to weigh occurring events along with us."
James Legge (1861), Confucian Analects, The Chinese Classics vol. 1 (1861; 2nd ed. 1893) — public domain.
Character glossary
- 子zison, child; seed, egg; fruit; small thin
- 曰yuēto speak; to say
- 可kěmay, can, -able; possibly
- 與yǔand; with; to; for; to give, to grant
- 共gòngall, total; together; to share
- 學xuélearning, knowledge, science; to study,
- 未wèinot yet; 8th terrestrial branch
- 適shìmatch, comfortable; just
- 道dàomethod, way; path, road
- 立lìto stand; to establish, to set up
- 權quánauthority, power, right
Passages with shared wording
Data: English Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.