Sailing with Confucius (NK)

 5.7. The Master said, “If the way is not put into practice, I will set off upon the sea in a small raft.  And the one who would follow me — would it not be Zilu?”

Upon hearing this, Zilu was happy.

The Master commented, “Zilu’s fondness for courage exceeds mine.  But where can I find some really suitable material?”


Finally a really great Confucian joke!  Yet one with a melancholy air.  As the commentary in Slingerland points out the joke is that Zilu might be a little too dull-witted to have understood that Confucius wasn’t being serious, and that this dull-wittedness makes him “unsuitable material”.  Perhaps the idea of launching off into high seas adventures with Confucius was too tempting a notion for the eager Zilu to resist.  One imagines an enthusiastic would-be seafarer strapping on his pea coat and galoshes before Confucian can finish saying, “And who would follow me?”.  However, by identifying that follower as Zilu, Confucius has not merely pointed out his lack of apprehension but also to his possession of at least one admirable virtue: courage. 

Courage is an interesting virtue for Confucius to bring up in the context of his expressing frustration about not seeing the way “put into practice” and musing about the possibility of giving it all up.  Does Confucius feel the slow creep of doubt coming upon him?  Accompanied by a flicker of losing the courage to keep going?  Does he make a joke at Zilu’s expense to mask an expression that may have revealed too much about himself?

Which brings me to that little raft.

Other than the obvious comedy in the idea of the great master setting out to sea in a tiny vessel (hey weren’t we just talking about vessels a few analects back?) what else does the image evoke?  Why small?  Zilu can’t fit even if he wanted to, its the master alone out there drifting away.  It’s a surprisingly  sad and melancholy scene for Confucius to conjure up for us, and it seems to point to three things: 1) his disappointment (in himself?) that the way is yet to be fully realized 2) his desire give up the fight 3) his inability (i.e. lack of courage) to do so.  It is sad enough when anyone gives up a lifelong pursuit of any kind.  But, for Confucius, one who has devoted his life not just to his own cultivation but to that of his entire society, to do so would be nothing less than tragic.

So you know what?  I am with Zilu.  I don’t care if the jokes on me.  And you know what else?  Get your hats and your socks and whatever seafaring attire you have lying around, you’re all coming with me!


Mr. Kaelesch


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