Confucius’ Xue Er
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 the interlinear puns
- Each word is a block; each verse is a paragraph of little blocks. Blocks & text are always read left-to-right, as in English.
- Possible pun meaning is on light red at the top, with hyperlinked pun vocabulary just below.
- Original text is in the center.
- Official meaning is on light green at the bottom, with hyperlinked official vocabulary just above.
- Pun vocabulary is in red, whenever the meaning differs.
- Pun decryption is not an exact science. Please read the introduction, and judge yourself whether I got it right.
- An encrypted spook message does not automatically mean that the literal meaning is wrong, or that the encrypted meaning is the truth. Still, religious readers should proceed with care.
Xue Er
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Confucius子 zǐ master, teacher zi 子子 zǐ master, teacher Confuciussays:曰 yuē say yue 曰曰 yuē say says:Imitating學 xué imitate xue 學學 xué learn Learningthe assistants / the secondary [people],佴 èr assistant 貳 èr assistant, secondary er 而而 ér but but [with]posing outwardly勢 shì pose, outward appearance shi 時 時 shí time [constant] time[as] a servant傒 xī servant 奚 xī servant xi 習習 xí practice, habit [and] habit[doing] it,之 zhī it, them zhi 之之 zhī it, them [doing] it,[is it] not also不 bù not 亦 yì also bu yi 不亦不 bù not 亦 yì also [is it] not alsogoverning [them]?御 yù manage, govern yue 說悅 yuè pleasing pleasing? 乎 hū (question) hu 乎？乎 hū (question) Beguiling誘 yòu beguile, lure, mislead you 有有 yǒu there is Having[by being] similar to [one]朋 péng similar, equal peng 朋朋 péng friend friendsfrom自 zì from zi 自自 zì from froma faraway place遠方 yuǎnfāng far away yuan fang 遠方遠方 yuǎnfāng far away a faraway placecoming,來 lái come lai 來來 lái come coming,[is it] not also不 bù not 亦 yì also bu yi 不亦不 bù not 亦 yì also [is it] not alsocommanding [them]?勒 lè compel, force, lead, command le 樂樂 lè happy, cheerful happy? 乎 hū (question) hu 乎？乎 hū (question) [If] people人 rén man, people ren 人人 rén man, people [If] peopledo not不 bù not bu 不不 bù not do notknow [him],知 zhī know zhi 知知 zhī know know [him],yet而 ér but, yet er 而而 ér but, yet yet[he does] not不 bù not bu 不不 bù not [he does] notfeel discomfort,慍 yùn feel hurt yun 慍慍 yùn feel hurt feel discomfort,[is he] not also不 bù not 亦 yì also bu yi 不亦不 bù not 亦 yì also [is he] not also[still] a nobleman?君子 jūnzǐ nobleman jun zi 君子君子 jūnzǐ noble character a noble character? 乎 hū (question) hu 乎？乎 hū (question)
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Youzi有子 yǒuzǐ Youzi you zi 有子有子 yǒuzǐ Youzi Youzisays:曰 yuē say yue 曰曰 yuē say says:Such其 qí he, his, one, such, if qi 其其 qí he, his, one, such, if Suchacting為 wéi act as, become wei 為為 wéi act as, become actingpersons,人 rén man, person ren 人人 rén man, person persons,if [they do]也 yě indeed, if ye 也也 yě indeed, if if [they are]imitate效 xiào imitate xiao 孝孝 xiào filial piety of filial pietythe lower [folk]低 dī low, beneath di 弟弟 dì younger brother and fraternal piety,but [those folk still are]而 ér but, yet er 而而 ér but, yet but [they still are]prone好 hào prone to hao 好好 hào prone to proneto offending犯 fàn violate, offend fan 犯犯 fàn violate, offend to offending[their] superiors,上 shàng upper, superior shang 上上 shàng upper, superior [their] superiors, 者 zhě one who (is) zhe 者者 zhě one who (is) [this would be] rare.鮮 xiǎn rare xian 鮮鮮 xiǎn rare [this would be] rare. 矣 yǐ (final particle) yi 矣；矣 yǐ (final particle) [And if they are] not [even]不 bù not bu 不不 bù not [And if one is] not [even]prone to好 hào prone to hao 好好 hào prone to prone toviolating犯 fàn violate, offend fan 犯犯 fàn violate, offend violating[their own] superior,上 shàng upper, superior shang 上上 shàng upper, superior [one’s own] superior,but而 ér but, yet er 而而 ér but, yet but[that they would still be] prone好 hào prone to hao 好好 hào prone to [that one would still be] proneto create作 zuò do, make zuo 作作 zuò do, make to createdisorder & rebellion,亂 luàn disorder, unrest, rebellion luan 亂亂 luàn disorder, unrest, rebellion disorder & rebellion, 者 zhě one who (is) zhe 者者 zhě one who (is) not未 wèi not yet wei 未未 wèi not yet not[something like] this之 zhī this zhi 之之 zhī this [something like] thisthere is有 yǒu there is you 有有 yǒu there is there isindeed.也 yě indeed ye 也也 yě indeed indeed.[Because even if] a nobleman君子 jūnzǐ nobleman jun zi 君子君子 jūnzǐ noble character A noble characterhas no無 wú not have wu 務務 wù engage, seek, pursue pursues[known] origin,本 běn source, origin ben 本本 běn source, origin this foundation,[his] capital / current established position本利 běnlì capital and profit ben li 本立本 běn this, present, current 立 lì stand, standing, establish [having] established this,[will] yet而 ér but, yet er 而而 ér but, yet [there will] yetlead導 dǎo guide, lead dao 道道 dào path, principle [all other] principlesthe multitudes.甡 shēn multitude sheng 生生 shēng born, grow grow.Imitating the lower [classes],效 xiào imitate 低 dī low, beneath xiao di 孝弟孝 xiào filial piety 弟 dì younger brother Filial and fraternal duty,if [one is]也 yě also, if ye 也也 yě also, if if [one is][like] this,者 zhě one who (is), this zhe 者者 zhě one who (is), this [like] this,that [is]其 qí one, it, that qi 其其 qí one, it, that that [is][just] faking偽 wěi false, fake, forged wei 為為 wéi act as, become becominga person人 rén man, person ren 仁仁 rén humane, person of virtue a person of virtueof him之 zhī him, it zhi 之之 zhī him, it of itthe origin,本 běn source, origin ben 本本 běn source, origin the origin,[is it not]?與 yǔ and 歟 yú (final particle) yu 與！與 yǔ and 歟 yú (final particle) [is it not]?
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Confucius子 zǐ master, teacher zi 子子 zǐ master, teacher Confuciussays:曰 yuē say yue 曰曰 yuē say says:Skillful words巧 qiǎo skillful 言 yán words, speech qiao yan 巧言巧 qiǎo skillful 言 yán words, speech Skillful words[and] another另 lìng other, another ling 令令 lìng good, excellent [and overly] goodappearance,色 sè color, look, appearance se 色色 sè color, look, appearance appearance,[can] visibly㬎 xiǎn visible, apparent xian 鮮鮮 xiǎn rare [this is] rarechange異 yì different, other yi 矣矣 yǐ (final particle) a person!人 rén man, person ren 仁！仁 rén person of virtue [for a true] person of virtue!
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Zengzi曾子 zēngzǐ Zengzi zeng zi 曾子曾子 zēngzǐ Zengzi Zengzisays:曰 yuē say yue 曰曰 yuē say says:I myself吾 wú I, my wu 吾吾 wú I, my I myself[every] day日 rì day ri 日日 rì day [every] day[in] three [ways]三 sān three san 三三 sān three [in] three [ways][do I] shape形 xíng appear, look, shape xing 省省 xǐng inspect, examine [do I] inspectmy [own]吾 wú I, my wu 吾吾 wú I, my my [own]self:身 shēn body, oneself shen 身身 shēn body, oneself self:[When] as為 wèi as, for wei 為為 wèi as, for [When] for[another] person人 rén man, person ren 人人 rén man, person [another] person[I do] imitate,模 mó imitate mou 謀謀 móu seek, work for [I do] work,[do I appear] yet而 ér but, yet er 而而 ér but, yet [am I] yetnot不 bù not bu 不不 bù not notcorrect [enough]?中 zhòng hit the mark, correct, successful zhong 忠忠 zhōng loyal, honest honest [enough]? 乎 hū (question) hu 乎？乎 hū (question) [When] fooling愚 yú cheat, deceive, fool yu 與與 yǔ together with [When] with[my] retainers朋友 péngyǒu retainers peng you 朋友朋友 péngyou friend [my] friends[in] pretense,矯 jiǎo pretend, feign jiao 交交 jiāo make friends [I do] associate,[do I appear] yet而 ér but, yet er 而而 ér but, yet [am I] yetnot不 bù not bu 不不 bù not notbelievable / accurate [enough]?信 xìn believe, accurate xin 信信 xìn truthful, true truthful [enough]? 乎 hū (question) hu 乎？乎 hū (question) [When I] play a role,裝 zhuāng play a role, pretend chuan 傳傳 chuán teach [When I am] taught,[am I] not不 bù not bu 不不 bù not [do I] notthorough [enough]?細 xì detailed, meticulous, thoroughly xi 習習 xí practice, study learn [enough]? 乎 hū (question) hu 乎？乎 hū (question)
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Confucius子 zǐ master, teacher zi 子子 zǐ master, teacher Confuciussays:曰 yuē say yue 曰曰 yuē say says:Leading導 dǎo lead, guide, direct dao 道導 dǎo lead, guide, direct Leadingof thousands千 qiān thousand qian 千千 qiān thousand of a thousandof people甡 shēn multitude, crowd sheng 乘乘 shèng chariot chariots 之 zhī (possession) zhi 之之 zhī (possession) a nation,國 guó nation guo 國國 guó nation a nation,[one must] bury / plaster墐 jǐn bury, plaster jing 敬敬 jìng respect [one must] respectfully [treat][one’s] affairs事 shì matter, affair shi 事事 shì matter, affair [one’s] affairsand yet而 ér but, yet er 而而 ér but, yet and yetbe believable,信 xìn believe, accurate xin 信信 xìn trust, true, truthful be truthful,guard against戒 jiè guard against jie 節節 jié economize, save be economicthe crowds擁 yōng crowd, crowd of people yong 用用 yòng use [with] using [resources]and而 ér but, yet, and er 而而 ér but, yet, and andobstruct礙 ài hinder, obstruct, block ai 愛愛 ài like, love lovethe people,人 rén man, people ren 人人 rén man, people the people,make使 shǐ make, cause, employ shi 使使 shǐ make, cause, employ employingthe people民 mín people min 民民 mín people the peopleforget遺 yí lose, forget, fail to remember yi 以以 yǐ at atthe truth.實 shí truth, fact, reality shi 時時 shí time, season [the right] seasons.
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Confucius子 zǐ master, teacher zi 子子 zǐ master, teacher Confuciussays:曰 yuē say yue 曰曰 yuē say says:A ruler帝 dì emperor, sovereign di zi 弟弟 dì junior A youngperson子 zǐ person zi 子子 zǐ son, child person[when he] enters [office?]入 rù enter ru 入入 rù enter [when he] enters [the house][he should] imitate則 zé follow, imitate ze 則則 zé but, then thenthe little [people],小 xiǎo small xiao 孝孝 xiào filial piety [he should be] filial,[and when he] goes out出 chū go out chu 出出 chū go out [and when he] goes out[he should still] imitate則 zé follow, imitate ze 則則 zé but, then thenthe lowly [people].低 dī low, beneath di 弟弟 dì junior [he should still behave like] a junior.[He should be] careful,謹 jǐn sincere, careful jin 謹謹 jǐn sincere, careful [He should be] sincere,yet而 ér but, yet er 而而 ér but, yet andbelievable.信 xìn believe, accurate xin 信信 xìn trust, true, truthful truthful.[He should] hinder妨 fáng hinder fan 汎泛 fàn flood, extensive [He should] overflowand obstruct礙 ài hinder, obstruct ai 愛愛 ài like, love [with] lovethe multitudes眾 zhòng crowd, multitude zhong 眾眾 zhòng many, numerous [to] alland而 ér but, yet er 而而 ér but, yet andcapture [???]擒 qín catch, seize, hold, capture qin 親親 qīn close, intimate be closethe people.人 rén man, person, people ren 仁仁 rén humane, person of virtue to persons of virtue.[But if he is] able to行 xíng go, do, able, capable xing 行行 xíng go, do, able, capable [And if he is] able tohave有 yǒu have, there is you 有有 yǒu have, there is haveextra餘 yú extra, surplus yu 餘餘 yú extra, surplus extraability,力 lì strength, power, ability li 力力 lì strength, power, ability strength,then則 zé but, then ze 則則 zé but, then then[he should] use it以 yǐ by means of, use yi 以以 yǐ by means of, use [he should] use itto [still] imitate學 xué imitate xue 學學 xué learn, study to studygentleness [??].溫 wēn mild, soft, tender, gentle wen 文文 wén writing, literary literature.
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Zixia子夏 zǐxià Zixia zi xia 子夏子夏 zǐxià Zixia Zixiasays:曰 yuē say yue 曰曰 yuē say says:[If one’s] appearance顯現 xiǎnxiàn appearance, appear xian 賢賢賢 xián virtuous, worthy [If] a virtuous manis changed易 yì change, exchange yi 易易 yì change, exchange has changed[for another] role,色 sè appearance, theatrical role yi se 易色色 sè beauty, lust [from worshiping?] beauty,[if for] the affairs事 shì matter, thing, affair shi 事事 shì matter, thing, affair [if for] the affairs[of] a governor府幕 fǔmù government advisor fu mu 父母父母 fùmǔ parents [of his] parents[he] can能 néng can, able neng 能能 néng can, able [he] canborrow借 jiè lend, borrow jie 竭竭 jié exhaust exhaust[for] himself其 qí he, his qi 其其 qí he, his hisa veil [mask],縭 lí veil li 力力 lì power, strength, ability energy,[if for] the affairs事 shì matter, thing, affair shi 事事 shì matter, thing, affair [if for] the affairsof a ruler君 jūn lord, ruler jun 君君 jūn lord, ruler of [his] ruler[he] can能 néng can, able neng 能能 néng can, able [he] canconceal遮 zhē cover, hide, conceal zhi 致致 zhì devote, cause devotehis其 qí he, his qi 其其 qí he, his hisself,身 shēn body, oneself shen 身身 shēn body, oneself self,[if when being] with與 yǔ and, with yu 與與 yǔ and, with [if when being] with[his] retainers,朋友 péngyǒu retainers peng you 朋友朋友 péngyou friend [his] friends,[his] pretense矯 jiǎo pretend, feign jiao 交交 jiāo turn over, make friends [his] exchangein speech言 yán speech, talk, words xing 言言 yán speech, talk, words of speechis but而 ér but, yet er 而而 ér but, yet is buthaving有 yǒu have, there is you 有有 yǒu have, there is having[their] trust.信 xìn trust, believe xing 信信 xìn truthful truth.Although雖 suī although sui 雖雖 suī although Although[some will] say曰 yuē say yue 曰曰 yuē say [some will] say[one does] not未 wèi not, have not wei 未未 wèi not, have not [he has] not[need] imitation [here],學 xué imitate xue 學學 xué learn learned [anything here],[but] we [in] our吾輩 wúbèi we, us wu bi 吾必吾 wú I 必 bì must, certainly [but] I certainlyposition位置 wèizhi place, position wei zhi 謂之謂 wèi speak, say 之 zhī him [would] say [that] he [has][need] imitation.學 xué imitate xue 學學 xué learn learned [something]. 矣 yǐ (final particle) yi 矣矣 yǐ (final particle)