Analects · Chapter
XXXV explained
Confucius contrasts extravagance and parsimony, noting that extravagance leads to insubordination while parsimony leads to meanness, and concludes that it is better to be mean than insubordinate.
What happens
Confucius contrasts extravagance and parsimony, noting that extravagance leads to insubordination while parsimony leads to meanness, and concludes that it is better to be mean than insubordinate.
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
- Ritual and Propriety
The discussion of extravagance and parsimony relates to proper conduct and the balance between excess and deficiency in ritual and behavior.
Characters to notice
- Confucius
The Master delivers a teaching on the dangers of extravagance and parsimony.
Key passages
“Extravagance leads to insubordination, and parsimony to meanness. It is better to be mean than to be insubordinate.”
Excessive spending makes people rebellious, while being too frugal makes them petty. Of the two, it is preferable to be petty than rebellious.
Confucius warns against the extremes of extravagance and parsimony, favoring the lesser evil of meanness over insubordination.
