Reading and Analysis of Confucius’ Journey to the East in Classical Chinese

Original text:

Confucius was traveling eastward and saw two children arguing and asked him why.

Yi'er said: I think when the sun begins to rise, people will be closer, but when the sun is at midday, people will be far away.

The sun is far away at the beginning of the day, but it is close at the middle of the day.

One son said: At the beginning of the day, it is as big as the hood of a car, and at the middle of the day, it is like a pan (yú). Isn't this why the far ones are small and the near ones are big?

One son said: It is cool in Cang (cāng) at the beginning of the day, and it is like exploring the soup in the middle of the day. Isn't it hot for those who are near and cool for those far away?

Confucius could not decide.

The two children laughed and said: "Who (shú) knows more about you (rǔ)?"

Word explanation

(1) Travel: study tour, travel. (2) Debate: Debate, argue.

(3) Therefore: reason, reason. (4) To: think, think.

(5) Go: leave. (6) Midday: noon.

(7) Car hood: The hood on the car in ancient times was round like an umbrella. (8) and: arrived.

(9) Then: Just. (10) Panyu: bowls and plates used for eating in the past. Pan: a round plate, Gu: an open vessel for serving food and wine.

(11) is: yes. (12) Cangcang Liangliang: refreshing and slightly chilly.

(13) Exploring the soup: Put your hand into the hot water. It means the weather is hot. (14) Judgment: ruling, judgment.

(15) Who: Who, which one. (16) Ru: You.

Translation

Confucius went to the East to study. On the way, he met two children arguing and asked them the reason for the argument.

A child said: I think the sun is close to people when it first rises, and far away at noon.

Another child thinks that the sun is far away from people when it first rises, and is closer to people at noon.

A child said: When the sun first rises, it is as big as a car hood, but at noon it is as small as a pan. Isn't this the principle of small in the distance and big in the near?

Another child said: It is cool and slightly chilly when the sun first comes out, but at noon it is as hot as putting your hand into hot water. Isn't this the principle of hot near and cold far away?

After hearing this, Confucius could not decide who was right and who was wrong.

The two children smiled and said: Who said you are knowledgeable?

Central idea

1. Knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing, this is knowing.

2. We must learn from the ancients' spirit of using their brains and bold questioning to understand nature and explore the truth, as well as Confucius's scientific attitude of being modest, prudent, and seeking truth from facts, and understand the truth that there is no end to learning.

3. Looking at the problem one-sidedly will lead to no conclusion. It also tells us that we should look at things from a comprehensive perspective.