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# Confucius: Xue Er

🏷 Chinese text interlinear recommended · text — by Gerry · Mar 2022 · 4085 words

The book Xue Er by Confucius is once again a text that teaches spookery, i.e. ruling one’s subjects through total deception.

## Introduction

The 學而 Xué Ér is an ancient Chinese book allegedly written by Confucius, who is said to have lived around 500 BCE. As with many famous works, already the title doesn’t make much sense: It simply repeats the first 2 words and means “studying, but…” which carries no information. The possible punny spook title makes more sense: 學貳 xué èr means something like “imitating the assistants” or “imitating the secondary [people]”. For more proof, this meaning is repeated in the 2nd phrase, as Chinese poetry often uses repetition: 學貳勢傒 xué èr shì xī means “imitate an assistant, pretend to be a servant”. This sums up the whole concept of spookery: nepotist rulers feigning to be independent little people.

One term that is central to the text is 君子 jūnzǐ, which means both “noble character” and “nobleman”. Another central term is 孝弟 xiàodì “filial and fraternal piety”, which puns with 效低 xiàodī “imitating the lower [classes]”. The text was written by aristocrats for aristocrats, and teaches them how to hide their nepotism by posing as commoners!

This ancient Chinese text is proof that cryptocracy, i.e. the concept of ruling by systematically deceiving one’s subjects, was invented independently in many different regions around the world, typically in the most powerful & hierarchic civilizations. We find this concept in ancient Semitic texts, in Greek & Latin texts, in ancient Egypt, and now in ancient China. The Fertile Crescent and China were nowhere close to each other, neither geographically nor culturally. Still, the concept of systematic deception is present in both regions. This proves that it was developed independently: Once a civilization had advanced sufficiantly to allow the rulers to deceive their subjects without retribution or even detection, they did simply that, and even wrote encrypted texts about it!

### How to read this

- In the interlinear word-by-word translation, each word is shown as a little block; each verse is a paragraph of little blocks.
- Use the Pun Config to choose your level: Minimal for secret meaning only, Beginner for secret & official English texts, Intermediate for word-by-word vocabulary, Expert for original text & glyphs.
- Possible pun-encrypted meaning is marked with light red.
- Official meaning is marked with light green.
- Pun vocabulary is in red, whenever the meaning differs. All vocabulary is linked to online dictionaries.
- Please read the introduction, and judge yourself whether I got it right.
- Religious readers should proceed with care.

## Pose as a Subject

### Imitate the assistants, pose as a servant.

#### Xue Er 1.1.a

> Encrypted: Confucius says: Imitating the assistants, posing outwardly as a servant doing it, is it not also governing them?

> Official: Confucius says: Learning but with constant time and habit doing it, is it not also pleasing?

> Confucius
> 子 zǐ: master, teacher
> 子 zǐ
> 子 zǐ: master, teacher
> Confucius
> says:
> 曰 yuē: say
> 曰 yuē
> 曰 yuē: say
> says:
> Imitating
> 學 xué: imitate
> 學 xué
> 學 xué: learn
> Learning
> the assistants,
> 佴 èr: assistant; 貳 èr: assistant, secondary
> 而 ér
> 而 ér: but
> but [with]
> posing outwardly
> 勢 shì: pose, outward appearance
> 時 shí
> 時 shí: time
> [constant] time
> [as] a servant
> 傒 xī: servant; 奚 xī: servant
> 習 xí
> 習 xí: practice, habit
> [and] habit
> [doing] it,
> 之 zhī: it, them
> 之 zhī
> 之 zhī: it, them
> [doing] it,
> [is it] not also
> 不 bù: not; 亦 yì: also
> 不亦 bùyì
> 不 bù: not; 亦 yì: also
> [is it] not also
> governing [them]?
> 御 yù: manage, govern
> 說 yuè
> 悅 yuè: pleasing
> pleasing?
> 乎 hū: (question)
> 乎 hū
> 乎 hū: (question)

> Xue Er 1.1.a

### Beguile by feigning to be a stranger.

#### Xue Er 1.1.b

> Encrypted: Beguiling by being similar to one from a faraway place coming, is it not also commanding them?

> Official: Having friends from a faraway place coming, is it not also happy?

> Beguiling
> 誘 yòu: beguile, lure, mislead
> 有 yǒu
> 有 yǒu: there is
> Having
> [by being] similar to [one]
> 朋 péng: similar, equal
> 朋 péng
> 朋 péng: friend
> friends
> from
> 自 zì: from
> 自 zì
> 自 zì: from
> from
> a faraway place
> 遠方 yuǎnfāng: far away
> 遠方 yuǎnfāng
> 遠方 yuǎnfāng: far away
> a faraway place
> coming,
> 來 lái: come
> 來 lái
> 來 lái: come
> coming,
> [is it] not also
> 不 bù: not; 亦 yì: also
> 不亦 bùyì
> 不 bù: not; 亦 yì: also
> [is it] not also
> commanding [them]?
> 勒 lè: compel, force, lead, command
> 樂 lè
> 樂 lè: happy, cheerful
> happy?
> 乎 hū: (question)
> 乎 hū
> 乎 hū: (question)

> Xue Er 1.1.b

### You can be a nobleman even if people don’t know you are.

#### Xue Er 1.1.c

> Encrypted: If people do not know him, yet he does not feel discomfort, is he not also still a nobleman?

> Official: If people do not know him, yet he does not feel discomfort, is he not also a noble character?

> [If] people
> 人 rén: man, people
> 人 rén
> 人 rén: man, people
> [If] people
> do not
> 不 bù: not
> 不 bù
> 不 bù: not
> do not
> know [him],
> 知 zhī: know
> 知 zhī
> 知 zhī: know
> know [him],
> yet
> 而 ér: but, yet
> 而 ér
> 而 ér: but, yet
> yet
> [he does] not
> 不 bù: not
> 不 bù
> 不 bù: not
> [he does] not
> feel discomfort,
> 慍 yùn: feel hurt
> 慍 yùn
> 慍 yùn: feel hurt
> feel discomfort,
> [is he] not also
> 不 bù: not; 亦 yì: also
> 不亦 bùyì
> 不 bù: not; 亦 yì: also
> [is he] not also
> [still] a nobleman?
> 君子 jūnzǐ: nobleman
> 君子 jūnzǐ
> 君子 jūnzǐ: noble character
> a noble character?
> 乎 hū: (question)
> 乎 hū
> 乎 hū: (question)

> Xue Er 1.1.c

### If you imitate the lowly folk, they stop being violent towards you.

#### Xue Er 1.2.a

> Encrypted: Youzi says: Such acting persons, if they do imitate the lower folk but those folk still are prone to offending their superiors, this would be rare.

> Official: Youzi says: Such acting persons, if they are of filial piety and fraternal piety, but they still are prone to offending their superiors, this would be rare.

> Youzi
> 有子 yǒuzǐ: Youzi
> 有子 yǒuzǐ
> 有子 yǒuzǐ: Youzi
> Youzi
> says:
> 曰 yuē: say
> 曰 yuē
> 曰 yuē: say
> says:
> Such
> 其 qí: he, his, one, such, if
> 其 qí
> 其 qí: he, his, one, such, if
> Such
> acting
> 為 wéi: act as, become
> 為 wéi
> 為 wéi: act as, become
> acting
> persons,
> 人 rén: man, person
> 人 rén
> 人 rén: man, person
> persons,
> if [they do]
> 也 yě: indeed, if
> 也 yě
> 也 yě: indeed, if
> if [they are]
> imitate
> 效 xiào: imitate
> 孝 xiào
> 孝 xiào: filial piety
> of filial piety
> the lower [folk]
> 低 dī: low, beneath
> 弟 dì
> 弟 dì: younger brother
> and fraternal piety,
> but [those folk still are]
> 而 ér: but, yet
> 而 ér
> 而 ér: but, yet
> but [they still are]
> prone
> 好 hào: prone to
> 好 hào
> 好 hào: prone to
> prone
> to offending
> 犯 fàn: violate, offend
> 犯 fàn
> 犯 fàn: violate, offend
> to offending
> [their] superiors,
> 上 shàng: upper, superior
> 上 shàng
> 上 shàng: upper, superior
> [their] superiors,
> 者 zhě: one who (is)
> 者 zhě
> 者 zhě: one who (is)
> [this would be] rare.
> 鮮 xiǎn: rare
> 鮮 xiǎn
> 鮮 xiǎn: rare
> [this would be] rare.
> 矣 yǐ: (final particle)
> 矣 yǐ
> 矣 yǐ: (final particle)

> Xue Er 1.2.a

### If people are not violent, there will be no rebellion.

#### Xue Er 1.2.b

> Encrypted: And if they are not even prone to violating their own superior, but that they would still be prone to create disorder & rebellion, not something like this there is indeed.

> Official: And if they are not even prone to violating their own superior, but that they would still be prone to create disorder & rebellion, not something like this there is indeed.

> [And if they are] not [even]
> 不 bù: not
> 不 bù
> 不 bù: not
> [And if they are] not [even]
> prone to
> 好 hào: prone to
> 好 hào
> 好 hào: prone to
> prone to
> violating
> 犯 fàn: violate, offend
> 犯 fàn
> 犯 fàn: violate, offend
> violating
> [their own] superior,
> 上 shàng: upper, superior
> 上 shàng
> 上 shàng: upper, superior
> [their own] superior,
> but
> 而 ér: but, yet
> 而 ér
> 而 ér: but, yet
> but
> [that they would still be] prone
> 好 hào: prone to
> 好 hào
> 好 hào: prone to
> [that they would still be] prone
> to create
> 作 zuò: do, make
> 作 zuò
> 作 zuò: do, make
> to create
> disorder & rebellion,
> 亂 luàn: disorder, unrest, rebellion
> 亂 luàn
> 亂 luàn: disorder, unrest, rebellion
> disorder & rebellion,
> 者 zhě: one who (is)
> 者 zhě
> 者 zhě: one who (is)
> not
> 未 wèi: not yet
> 未 wèi
> 未 wèi: not yet
> not
> [something like] this
> 之 zhī: this
> 之 zhī
> 之 zhī: this
> [something like] this
> there is
> 有 yǒu: there is
> 有 yǒu
> 有 yǒu: there is
> there is
> indeed.
> 也 yě: indeed
> 也 yě
> 也 yě: indeed
> indeed.

> Xue Er 1.2.b

### You can fake your origin, and still lead the lower classes.

#### Xue Er 1.2.c

> Encrypted: Because even if a nobleman has no known origin, his established position will yet lead the multitudes. Imitating the lower classes, if one is like this, that is just faking a person of him the origin, is it not?

> Official: A noble character pursues this foundation, having established this, there will yet all other principles grow. Filial and fraternal duty, if one is like this, that is becoming a person of virtue of it the origin, is it not?

> [Because even if] a nobleman
> 君子 jūnzǐ: nobleman
> 君子 jūnzǐ
> 君子 jūnzǐ: noble character
> A noble character
> has no
> 無 wú: not have
> 務 wù
> 務 wù: engage, seek, pursue
> pursues
> [known] origin,
> 本 běn: source, origin
> 本 běn
> 本 běn: source, origin
> this foundation,
> [his] established position
> 本利 běnlì: capital and profit
> 本立 běnlì
> 本 běn: this, present, current; 立 lì: stand, standing, establish
> [having] established this,
> [will] yet
> 而 ér: but, yet
> 而 ér
> 而 ér: but, yet
> [there will] yet
> lead
> 导 dǎo: guide, lead
> 道 dào
> 道 dào: path, principle
> [all other] principles
> the multitudes.
> 甡 shēn: multitude
> 生 shēng
> 生 shēng: born, grow
> grow.
> Imitating the lower [classes],
> 效 xiào: imitate; 低 dī: low, beneath
> 孝弟 xiàodì
> 孝 xiào: filial piety; 弟 dì: younger brother
> Filial and fraternal duty,
> if [one is]
> 也 yě: also, if
> 也 yě
> 也 yě: also, if
> if [one is]
> [like] this,
> 者 zhě: one who (is), this
> 者 zhě
> 者 zhě: one who (is), this
> [like] this,
> that [is]
> 其 qí: one, it, that
> 其 qí
> 其 qí: one, it, that
> that [is]
> [just] faking
> 偽 wěi: false, fake, forged
> 為 wéi
> 為 wéi: act as, become
> becoming
> a person
> 人 rén: man, person
> 仁 rén
> 仁 rén: humane, person of virtue
> a person of virtue
> of him
> 之 zhī: him, it
> 之 zhī
> 之 zhī: him, it
> of it
> the origin,
> 本 běn: source, origin
> 本 běn
> 本 běn: source, origin
> the origin,
> [is it not]?
> 與 yǔ: and; 歟 yú: (final particle)
> 與 yú
> 與 yǔ: and; 歟 yú: (final particle)
> [is it not]?

> Xue Er 1.2.c

### Skillful words & fake appearances change a person.

#### Xue Er 1.3.a

> Encrypted: Confucius says: Skillful words and another appearance, can visibly change a person!

> Official: Confucius says: Skillful words and overly good appearance, this is rare for a true person of virtue!

> Confucius
> 子 zǐ: master, teacher
> 子 zǐ
> 子 zǐ: master, teacher
> Confucius
> says:
> 曰 yuē: say
> 曰 yuē
> 曰 yuē: say
> says:
> Skillful words
> 巧 qiǎo: skillful; 言 yán: words, speech
> 巧言 qiǎoyán
> 巧 qiǎo: skillful; 言 yán: words, speech
> Skillful words
> [and] another
> 另 lìng: other, another
> 令 lìng
> 令 lìng: good, excellent
> [and overly] good
> appearance,
> 色 sè: color, look, appearance
> 色 sè
> 色 sè: color, look, appearance
> appearance,
> [can] visibly
> 㬎 xiǎn: visible, apparent
> 鮮 xiǎn
> 鮮 xiǎn: rare
> [this is] rare
> change
> 異 yì: different, other
> 矣 yǐ
> 矣 yǐ: (final particle)
> a person!
> 人 rén: man, person
> 仁 rén
> 仁 rén: person of virtue
> [for a true] person of virtue!

> Xue Er 1.3.a

### Check your role-playing for believability.

#### Xue Er 1.4.a

> Encrypted: Zengzi says: I myself every day in three ways do I shape my own self: When as another person I do imitate, do I appear yet not correct enough? When fooling my retainers in pretense, do I appear yet not believable enough? When I play a role, am I not thorough enough?

> Official: Zengzi says: I myself every day in three ways do I inspect my own self: When for another person I do work, am I yet not honest enough? When with my friends I do associate, am I yet not truthful enough? When I am taught, do I not learn enough?

> Zengzi
> 曾子 zēngzǐ: Zengzi
> 曾子 zēngzǐ
> 曾子 zēngzǐ: Zengzi
> Zengzi
> says:
> 曰 yuē: say
> 曰 yuē
> 曰 yuē: say
> says:
> I myself
> 吾 wú: I, my
> 吾 wú
> 吾 wú: I, my
> I myself
> [every] day
> 日 rì: day
> 日 rì
> 日 rì: day
> [every] day
> [in] three [ways]
> 三 sān: three
> 三 sān
> 三 sān: three
> [in] three [ways]
> [do I] shape
> 形 xíng: appear, look, shape
> 省 xǐng
> 省 xǐng: inspect, examine
> [do I] inspect
> my [own]
> 吾 wú: I, my
> 吾 wú
> 吾 wú: I, my
> my [own]
> self:
> 身 shēn: body, oneself
> 身 shēn
> 身 shēn: body, oneself
> self:
> [When] as
> 為 wéi: become, as
> 為 wèi
> 為 wèi: to, for
> [When] for
> [another] person
> 人 rén: man, person
> 人 rén
> 人 rén: man, person
> [another] person
> [I do] imitate,
> 模 mó: imitate
> 謀 móu
> 謀 móu: seek, work for
> [I do] work,
> [do I appear] yet
> 而 ér: but, yet
> 而 ér
> 而 ér: but, yet
> [am I] yet
> not
> 不 bù: not
> 不 bù
> 不 bù: not
> not
> correct [enough]?
> 中 zhòng: hit the mark, correct, successful
> 忠 zhōng
> 忠 zhōng: loyal, honest
> honest [enough]?
> 乎 hū: (question)
> 乎 hū
> 乎 hū: (question)
> [When] fooling
> 愚 yú: cheat, deceive, fool
> 與 yǔ
> 與 yǔ: together with
> [When] with
> [my] retainers
> 朋友 péngyǒu: retainers
> 朋友 péngyǒu
> 朋友 péngyǒu: friend
> [my] friends
> [in] pretense,
> 矯 jiǎo: pretend, feign
> 交 jiāo
> 交 jiāo: make friends
> [I do] associate,
> [do I appear] yet
> 而 ér: but, yet
> 而 ér
> 而 ér: but, yet
> [am I] yet
> not
> 不 bù: not
> 不 bù
> 不 bù: not
> not
> believable [enough]?
> 信 xìn: believe, accurate
> 信 xìn
> 信 xìn: truthful, true
> truthful [enough]?
> 乎 hū: (question)
> 乎 hū
> 乎 hū: (question)
> [When I] play a role,
> 裝 zhuāng: play a role, pretend
> 傳 chuán
> 傳 chuán: teach
> [When I am] taught,
> [am I] not
> 不 bù: not
> 不 bù
> 不 bù: not
> [do I] not
> thorough [enough]?
> 細 xì: detailed, meticulous, thoroughly
> 習 xí
> 習 xí: practice, study
> learn [enough]?
> 乎 hū: (question)
> 乎 hū
> 乎 hū: (question)

> Xue Er 1.4.a

#### Xue Er 1.5.a

> Encrypted: Confucius says: Leading of thousands of people a nation, one must plaster up one’s personal affairs and yet be believable, guard against the crowds and obstruct the people, make the people forget the truth.

> Official: Confucius says: Leading of a thousand chariots a nation, one must respectfully treat one’s personal affairs and yet be truthful, be economic with using resources and love the people, employing the people at the right seasons.

> Confucius
> 子 zǐ: master, teacher
> 子 zǐ
> 子 zǐ: master, teacher
> Confucius
> says:
> 曰 yuē: say
> 曰 yuē
> 曰 yuē: say
> says:
> Leading
> 導 dǎo: lead, guide, direct
> 道 dǎo
> 導 dǎo: lead, guide, direct
> Leading
> of thousands
> 千 qiān: thousand
> 千 qiān
> 千 qiān: thousand
> of a thousand
> of people
> 甡 shēn: multitude, crowd
> 乘 shèng
> 乘 shèng: chariot
> chariots
> 之 zhī: (possession)
> 之 zhī
> 之 zhī: (possession)
> a nation,
> 國 guó: nation
> 國 guó
> 國 guó: nation
> a nation,
> [one must] plaster up
> 墐 jǐn: bury, plaster
> 敬 jìng
> 敬 jìng: respect
> [one must] respectfully [treat]
> [one’s personal] affairs
> 事 shì: matter, affair
> 事 shì
> 事 shì: matter, affair
> [one’s personal] affairs
> and yet
> 而 ér: but, yet
> 而 ér
> 而 ér: but, yet
> and yet
> be believable,
> 信 xìn: believe, accurate
> 信 xìn
> 信 xìn: trust, true, truthful
> be truthful,
> guard against
> 戒 jiè: guard against
> 節 jié
> 節 jié: economize, save
> be economic
> the crowds
> 擁 yōng: crowd, crowd of people
> 用 yòng
> 用 yòng: use
> [with] using [resources]
> and
> 而 ér: but, yet, and
> 而 ér
> 而 ér: but, yet, and
> and
> obstruct
> 礙 ài: hinder, obstruct, block
> 愛 ài
> 愛 ài: like, love
> love
> the people,
> 人 rén: man, people
> 人 rén
> 人 rén: man, people
> the people,
> make
> 使 shǐ: make, cause, employ
> 使 shǐ
> 使 shǐ: make, cause, employ
> employing
> the people
> 民 mín: people
> 民 mín
> 民 mín: people
> the people
> forget
> 遺 yí: lose, forget, fail to remember
> 以 yǐ
> 以 yǐ: at
> at
> the truth.
> 實 shí: truth, fact, reality
> 時 shí
> 時 shí: time, season
> [the right] seasons.

> Xue Er 1.5.a

### A ruler must imitate the lowly people.

#### Xue Er 1.6.a

> Encrypted: Confucius says: A ruler person when he enters office he should imitate the little people, and when he goes out he should still imitate the lowly people.

> Official: Confucius says: A young person when he enters the house then he should be filial, and when he goes out then he should still behave like a junior.

> Confucius
> 子 zǐ: master, teacher
> 子 zǐ
> 子 zǐ: master, teacher
> Confucius
> says:
> 曰 yuē: say
> 曰 yuē
> 曰 yuē: say
> says:
> A ruler
> 帝 dì: emperor, sovereign
> 弟 dì
> 弟 dì: junior
> A young
> person
> 子 zǐ: person
> 子 zǐ
> 子 zǐ: son, child
> person
> [when he] enters [office?]
> 入 rù: enter
> 入 rù
> 入 rù: enter
> [when he] enters [the house]
> [he should] imitate
> 則 zé: follow, imitate
> 則 zé
> 則 zé: but, then
> then
> the little [people],
> 小 xiǎo: small
> 孝 xiào
> 孝 xiào: filial piety
> [he should be] filial,
> [and when he] goes out
> 出 chū: go out
> 出 chū
> 出 chū: go out
> [and when he] goes out
> [he should still] imitate
> 則 zé: follow, imitate
> 則 zé
> 則 zé: but, then
> then
> the lowly [people].
> 低 dī: low, beneath
> 弟 dì
> 弟 dì: junior
> [he should still behave like] a junior.

> Xue Er 1.6.a

### A ruler must hinder & obstruct the multitudes.

#### Xue Er 1.6.b

> Encrypted: He should be careful, yet believable. He should hinder and obstruct the multitudes and capture the people.

> Official: He should be sincere, and truthful. He should overflow with love to all and be close to persons of virtue.

> [He should be] careful,
> 謹 jǐn: sincere, careful
> 謹 jǐn
> 謹 jǐn: sincere, careful
> [He should be] sincere,
> yet
> 而 ér: but, yet
> 而 ér
> 而 ér: but, yet
> and
> believable.
> 信 xìn: believe, accurate
> 信 xín
> 信 xìn: trust, true, truthful
> truthful.
> [He should] hinder
> 妨 fáng: hinder
> 汎 fàn
> 泛 fàn: flood, extensive
> [He should] overflow
> and obstruct
> 礙 ài: hinder, obstruct
> 愛 ài
> 愛 ài: like, love
> [with] love
> the multitudes
> 眾 zhòng: crowd, multitude
> 眾 zhòng
> 眾 zhòng: many, numerous
> [to] all
> and
> 而 ér: but, yet
> 而 ér
> 而 ér: but, yet
> and
> capture [???]
> 擒 qín: catch, seize, hold, capture
> 親 qīn
> 親 qīn: close, intimate
> be close
> the people.
> 人 rén: man, person, people
> 仁 rén
> 仁 rén: humane, person of virtue
> to persons of virtue.

> Xue Er 1.6.b

### If possible, he should still feign to be friendly.

#### Xue Er 1.6.c

> Encrypted: But if he is able to have extra ability, then he should use it to still imitate gentleness.

> Official: And if he is able to have extra strength, then he should use it to study literature.

> [But if he is] able to
> 行 xíng: go, do, able, capable
> 行 xíng
> 行 xíng: go, do, able, capable
> [And if he is] able to
> have
> 有 yǒu: have, there is
> 有 yǒu
> 有 yǒu: have, there is
> have
> extra
> 餘 yú: extra, surplus
> 餘 yú
> 餘 yú: extra, surplus
> extra
> ability,
> 力 lì: strength, power, ability
> 力 lì
> 力 lì: strength, power, ability
> strength,
> then
> 則 zé: but, then
> 則 zé
> 則 zé: but, then
> then
> [he should] use it
> 以 yǐ: by means of, use
> 以 yǐ
> 以 yǐ: by means of, use
> [he should] use it
> to [still] imitate
> 學 xué: imitate
> 學 xué
> 學 xué: learn, study
> to study
> gentleness [??].
> 溫 wēn: mild, soft, tender, gentle
> 文 wén
> 文 wén: writing, literary
> literature.

> Xue Er 1.6.c

### If your appearance needs to be changed, you can borrow a role.

#### Xue Er 1.7.a

> Encrypted: Zixia says: If one’s appearance is changed for another role, if for the affairs of a governor he can borrow for himself a veil mask, if for the affairs of a ruler he can conceal his self,

> Official: Zixia says: If a virtuous man has changed from worshiping beauty, if for the affairs of his parents he can exhaust his energy, if for the affairs of his ruler he can devote his self,

> Zixia
> 子夏 zǐxià: Zixia
> 子夏 zǐxià
> 子夏 zǐxià: Zixia
> Zixia
> says:
> 曰 yuē: say
> 曰 yuē
> 曰 yuē: say
> says:
> [If one’s] appearance
> 顯現 xiǎnxiàn: appearance, appear
> 賢賢 xiánxián
> 賢 xián: virtuous, worthy
> [If] a virtuous man
> is changed
> 易 yì: change, exchange
> 易 yì
> 易 yì: change, exchange
> has changed
> [for another] role,
> 色 sè: appearance, theatrical role
> 易色 sè
> 色 sè: beauty, lust
> [from worshiping?] beauty,
> [if for] the affairs
> 事 shì: matter, thing, affair
> 事 shì
> 事 shì: matter, thing, affair
> [if for] the affairs
> [of] a governor
> 府幕 fǔmù: government advisor
> 父母 fùmǔ
> 父母 fùmǔ: parents
> [of his] parents
> [he] can
> 能 néng: can, able
> 能 néng
> 能 néng: can, able
> [he] can
> borrow
> 借 jiè: lend, borrow
> 竭 jié
> 竭 jié: exhaust
> exhaust
> [for] himself
> 其 qí: he, his
> 其 qí
> 其 qí: he, his
> his
> a veil [mask],
> 縭 lí: veil
> 力 lì
> 力 lì: power, strength, ability
> energy,
> [if for] the affairs
> 事 shì: matter, thing, affair
> 事 shì
> 事 shì: matter, thing, affair
> [if for] the affairs
> of a ruler
> 君 jūn: lord, ruler
> 君 jūn
> 君 jūn: lord, ruler
> of [his] ruler
> [he] can
> 能 néng: can, able
> 能 néng
> 能 néng: can, able
> [he] can
> conceal
> 遮 zhē: cover, hide, conceal
> 致 zhī
> 致 zhì: devote, cause
> devote
> his
> 其 qí: he, his
> 其 qí
> 其 qí: he, his
> his
> self,
> 身 shēn: body, oneself
> 身 shēn
> 身 shēn: body, oneself
> self,

> Xue Er 1.7.a

### Pretense in speech must have the servants’ trust.

#### Xue Er 1.7.b

> Encrypted: if when being with his retainers, his pretense in speech is but having their trust.

> Official: if when being with his friends, his exchange of speech is but having truth.

> [if when being] with
> 與 yǔ: and, with
> 與 yǔ
> 與 yǔ: and, with
> [if when being] with
> [his] retainers,
> 朋友 péngyǒu: retainers
> 朋友 péngyǒu
> 朋友 péngyǒu: friend
> [his] friends,
> [his] pretense
> 矯 jiǎo: pretend, feign
> 交 jiāo
> 交 jiāo: turn over, make friends
> [his] exchange
> in speech
> 言 yán: speech, talk, words
> 言 xíng
> 言 yán: speech, talk, words
> of speech
> is but
> 而 ér: but, yet
> 而 ěr
> 而 ér: but, yet
> is but
> having
> 有 yǒu: have, there is
> 有 yǒu
> 有 yǒu: have, there is
> having
> [their] trust.
> 信 xìn: trust, believe
> 信 xìng
> 信 xìn: truthful
> truth.

> Xue Er 1.7.b

### Some say we don’t need imitation, but we do.

#### Xue Er 1.7.c

> Encrypted: Although some will say one does not need imitation here, but we in our position need imitation.

> Official: Although some will say he has not learned anything here, but I certainly would say that he has learned something.

> Although
> 雖 suī: although
> 雖 suī
> 雖 suī: although
> Although
> [some will] say
> 曰 yuē: say
> 曰 yuē
> 曰 yuē: say
> [some will] say
> [one does] not
> 未 wèi: not, have not
> 未 wèi
> 未 wèi: not, have not
> [he has] not
> [need] imitation [here],
> 學 xué: imitate
> 學 xué
> 學 xué: learn
> learned [anything here],
> [but] we [in] our
> 吾輩 wúbèi: we, us
> 吾必 wúbì
> 吾 wú: I; 必 bì: must, certainly
> [but] I certainly
> position
> 位置 wèizhi: place, position
> 謂之 wèizhī
> 謂 wèi: speak, say; 之 zhī: him
> [would] say [that] he [has]
> [need] imitation.
> 學 xué: imitate
> 學 xué
> 學 xué: learn
> learned [something].
> 矣 yǐ: (final particle)
> 矣 yǐ
> 矣 yǐ: (final particle)

> Xue Er 1.7.c

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