Confucius’ Wisdom: Guiding Ambitious Youth Toward Self-Discipline

5-22 The Son in Chen (1) said, “Return with! Return with! The boy of my party(2) is wildly simple(3) and felicitous(4) into chapters, and I do not know how to cut(5) them.”

[Notes

(1) Chen: the name of an ancient country, approximately in the area of present-day eastern Henan and northern Anhui.

(2) the boy of my party: the ancient 500 family one for the party. My party means my hometown. Kid, refers to Confucius’ students in Lu.

(3) Mad and simple: ambitious but rude and simple behavior.

(4) Fei Ran: Fei, fěi, has the appearance of literary color.

(5) Tailor: Trimming, moderation.

[Translation

Confucius said in the state of Chen, “Go back! Go back! The students in my hometown have great aspirations, but their behavior is rough and simple; they have literary color but don’t yet know how to moderate themselves.”

[Commentary

When Confucius said these words, it was just when Jikangzi was ruling in Lu, and he wanted to call Ran Qiu back to assist in government affairs. Therefore, Confucius said go back, go to the government and realize their ambitions. But at the same time, he also pointed out that his students in Lu still have problems: their behavior is rough and simple, and they don’t know how to control themselves, which still need to be taught by him.

One of his many profound teachings is reflected in a passage from his time in the ancient state of Chen, where he addresses the potential and pitfalls of youthful ambition.

The Context

In ancient China, the state of Chen was located in what is now the eastern part of Henan province and the northern part of Anhui province. It was during his stay in this region that Confucius expressed his thoughts on the nature of young students from his homeland, Lu.

Confucius said, “Return! Return! The young men of my homeland have great ambitions but act with reckless simplicity. They possess literary talent but do not know how to temper it.”

Analyzing Confucius’ Words

To fully appreciate this teaching, we must delve into the meaning behind Confucius’ words and the cultural context in which they were spoken. At the time, Confucius’ home state of Lu was under the leadership of Ji Kangzi, who sought the return of a notable disciple, Ran Qiu, to aid in governance. Confucius’ urging to “return” reflects his belief that his students should serve their state and fulfill their potential.

However, Confucius also highlighted a critical issue: while his students were ambitious and talented, they lacked self-discipline. This duality is central to Confucian philosophy, which values both the cultivation of personal virtues and the importance of serving society.

Ambition vs. Discipline

The term “狂简” (kuáng jiǎn) used by Confucius describes the young men as having lofty aspirations but behaving in a rough and unrefined manner. This juxtaposition is essential to understanding Confucian teachings on personal development. Ambition alone, without the tempering influence of self-discipline, can lead to impulsive and misguided actions.

Confucius’ observation that his students were “斐然成章” (fěi rán chéng zhāng) – possessing literary talent and creativity – yet not knowing how to “裁” (cái) – temper or moderate themselves – underscores the importance of balance in personal development. True excellence, according to Confucius, is achieved through the harmonious combination of talent and discipline.

Modern Relevance

Confucius’ insights remain relevant today, especially in the fast-paced and competitive environment of the modern world. Many young people possess remarkable talent and ambition, but without guidance and self-discipline, their potential may not be fully realized. The teachings of Confucius remind us that true success is not merely about achieving goals but also about the manner in which those goals are pursued.