Analects · Chapter
Chapter XVII explained
Confucius teaches Yû (Tsze-lû) the essence of knowledge: to recognize both what one knows and what one does not know, equating this honest self-awareness with true knowledge.
What happens
Confucius teaches Yû (Tsze-lû) the essence of knowledge: to recognize both what one knows and what one does not know, equating this honest self-awareness with true knowledge.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional peak occurs when Confucius directly confronts Yû with a list of six virtues—benevolence, knowled…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Learning and Knowledge
The chapter defines knowledge as the honest recognition of one's own ignorance and understanding.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it;—this is knowledge.”
True knowledge consists of acknowledging what you know and admitting what you do not know.
Confucius teaches that intellectual honesty is the foundation of wisdom.
