The Wisdom of “Not Being Ashamed to Ask” in Confucian Teachings
5-15 Zigong asked, “What does Confucius Wenzi(1) call Wen?” Zi said, “Min(2) and good at learning, not ashamed to ask questions, is to be called Wen also.”
[Commentary
(1) Kong Wenzi: the great doctor of the State of Wei, Kong Meng (yǔ), “Wen” is a posthumous name, “Zi” is an honorific title.
(2) Min: agile and diligent.
Translation
Zigong asked, “Why did you give Confucius Wenzi a posthumous title of ‘Wen’?” Confucius said, “He was intelligent, diligent and studious, and was not ashamed to ask for advice from those in his inferior position, so he was given the posthumous name ‘Wen’.”
[Commentary
In this chapter, Confucius talked about “not being ashamed to ask questions” when answering Zigong’s question. This is the method that Confucius always applied in his study. “To be keen and studious” means to study with diligence and interest. “Not to be ashamed to ask questions” means not only to listen to and seek advice from teachers and elders, but also to seek advice from all those who generally seem to have less knowledge than oneself, and not to be ashamed of doing so. Confucius “not ashamed to ask” performance: one is close to learn their students, that is, learning while teaching, which in the “Analects” book has many records. The second is to learn from the people. In his opinion, there are many things to learn from the masses, which can also be found in the book of the Analects of Confucius. The learning attitude of “not being ashamed to ask questions” advocated by him had far-reaching influence on later generations of literati and scholars.
In a profound dialogue recorded in the Analects of Confucius, a question posed by Zilu, one of Confucius’s disciples, reveals deep insights into Confucian values. Zilu asks, “Why was Kong Wenzi given the posthumous title ‘Wen’?” To which Confucius responds, “He was wise and diligent in learning, and he was not ashamed to ask questions of those below him. This is why he was given the title ‘Wen.'”
The title ‘Wen’ is an honorary posthumous title, which is not just a label but a recognition of one’s virtues and contributions. Kong Wenzi, or Kong Yushi (孔圉), was a respected official of the State of Wei, and ‘Wen’ reflects his esteemed character.
The Virtue of “Not Being Ashamed to Ask”
Confucius highlights two key virtues that earned Kong Wenzi this title: his diligence and his humility in seeking knowledge. The term ‘敏’ (sensitive or diligent) combined with ‘好学’ (eager to learn) describes a person who is both quick to grasp and deeply committed to education. However, the essence of Confucius’s praise lies in Kong Wenzi’s attitude toward learning from others, regardless of their social status or knowledge level.
In Confucian philosophy, ‘不耻下问’ (not being ashamed to ask questions of those below oneself) is a critical aspect of learning. Confucius himself demonstrated this principle in several ways:
Learning from Disciples: Confucius would often engage in dialogue with his students, using these interactions as opportunities for mutual learning and teaching.
Learning from Common People: He believed that wisdom could be gained from all individuals, including those from less esteemed backgrounds. This inclusive approach is evident throughout the Analects.
Impact on Later Generations
The principle of “not being ashamed to ask” has had a lasting influence on Chinese scholars and intellectuals. It underscores the idea that true wisdom comes not from one’s own knowledge alone but from the willingness to learn continuously from diverse sources. This approach fosters humility and a lifelong commitment to learning, values that have been deeply embedded in Chinese educational and cultural practices.
Confucius’s teaching about Kong Wenzi underscores a timeless lesson: the pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement should be characterized by an openness to learning from anyone, regardless of their status. This philosophy not only enriches the learner but also exemplifies the virtues that are honored in Confucian thought.